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Powder post beetles include several small, brownish, dry wood-eating insects ranging in size from one-twelfth to one-fifth inch long. They were so named because the wood upon which they feed is generally eaten into a fine, flourlike powder. The beetles can damage and, in some cases, eventually destroy by completely tunneling all exposed wood in houses, including furniture, paneling, hardwood floors and picture frames. Severe damage usually takes many years to materialize. They are usually brought into buildings in lumber that has been stored in yards or at building sites.
You can easily recognize the work of powder post beetles. Watch for “shot holes” in the wood. When the adults emerge, usually in June, some species leave small holes about the size of a pin in the surface of the wood; others make holes the size of pencil lead. From these holes a brood of larvae carry on their destructive feeding. Normally, these insects have a 1-year cycle; this means that the adults will appear only once each year. And because of this habit, the larvae have a feeding period of many monts.
Remember, the sooner these insects are controlled, the better. Delay only makes the damage greater. Call us for a free estimate to treat these insects.
After treatment you can paint or varnish all furniture and wood surfaces. Also, where excess moisture is a problem, all efforts to correct the cause should be undertaken. This will not stop the damage done by the grubs already in the wood, but it will discourage adult egg laying for any other brood. Understand this is not a solution to the powder-post damage but it is helpful for control to stop any spreading damage.
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