• Several hundred species (the list is growing due to continuing introduction of foreign wood into the U.S.)
• Three species are most common in the U.S. (Lyctid, Anobiid, Bostrichid)

Powderpost Beetle Quick Facts – Identification

• Size: 1/32nd – 1/4th inch
• Color: Reddish Brown
• Lifespan: 1-2 years

Adult Lyctid Powderpost Beetle: Image Credits: Powderpost Beetles – PCS Pest Control Services Gulf Islands

Powderpost Beetle Quick Facts – Habits

• Found mostly in softwoods (pine, spruce, fir) and hardwoods (oak, maple)
• Can lie dormant or hidden in wood for 10 years before emerging
• Emerge from wood in Spring
• Attracted to lights and windows, but most active at night (like moths).

Powderpost Beetle Quick Facts – Life-cycle

• Larvae does the damage, boring channels in wood, eventually totally disintegrate the wood.
• Larvae transforms to pupae for up to a year, then to an adult which exits the wood by boring a small pin hole (see image below).
• Fine dust or “frass” can be seen at or below the exit hole.
• Adult finds a mate, then lays eggs in exposed wood pores, cracks or crevices
• Eggs hatch, cycle continues.

Inspect your home for signs of powderpost beetle damage:
Image credits: Powderpost Beetles – PCS Pest Control Services Gulf Islands

Powderpost Beetle Quick Facts – Prevention

• Like the bed bug, the powderpost beetle hitches a ride into the home, only instead of riding in your suitcase and in clothing, it rides in wooden objects (framing, paneling, flooring, furniture…etc.)
• Thoroughly inspect all wood that enters your home either as furniture or building material. Look for the tale-tale exit pinholes. Ensure the wood has been properly kiln dried and certified powderpost beetle free.
• Preventative measures include ventilating all areas of the home (attic, crawl spaces, wall voids…etc.) as powderpost beetles thrive in moist conditions.

Powderpost Beetle Quick Facts – Solution to an existing infestation

• Replacement of damaged lumber or full tarpaulin fumigation is recommended.
• Specialized pesticides that penetrate unfinished wood can also be effective.
• The specialized pesticides are available only to a licensed pest control specialist.

Call ApolloX Pest Control

(888) 499-7378

The post Powderpost Beetle Quick Facts – Spot, Take Action appeared first on Pest Control.

We found the following powderpost beetle conversations on a forum and thought we’d pass them along. Each demonstrates some aspect of these wood boring pests, and the challenges faced by those who encountered them.

Powderpost Beetle Conversations – Home Inspector and PC insurance rep speak out.

Home inspector advises against home purchase due to powderpost beetles.

Anobiid Powderpost Beetle

“I inspected a house in Golden Beach (yes, the name does represent the people who live there, that’s where those with the gold live to some extent down there in South Florida) about 10 years or so ago which was totally gone due to those buggers.

No matter where I grabbed a truss, it crumbled in my hand.

I came down and advised my client, he was buying it because it was a point lot with 400 feet on the Intra-coastal, he only wanted it inspected to see if it was safe to rent out for a year or two before tearing it down …

I told him I would not recommend it, one big wind from a hurricane and it will save him from having to tear it down – but I sure would not want someone under it when it comes down. He was getting a good buy on it too … only $3 mil back then.” Credits: Powder Post Beetles – Inspection News

Property and casualty insurance agent speaks out against purchasing a home infested with powderpost beetles.

“With all my experience in the PC business, I would not buy a home with Powder Post beetles. I’d run away in a heartbeat.” Credits: Powder Post Beetles – Inspection News

Powderpost Beetle Conversations – Total Destruction Described

Lyctid Powderpost Beetle

“Pest guys will swear up and down that it will not re-infest… What a joke!!

Powderpost Beetle Conversations – Frustration with time-consuming monitoring

“If you see frass hanging out of the holes it is probably active. But if you see the holes and no frass it requires monitoring, which can be costly and time consuming. You can draw a silver dollar sized circle and count or number the holes inside, come back a month or so later to see if you have more holes inside the circle. I will usually draw about ten circles and monitor them in order to determine activity. Who really wants to do this?” Credits: Powder Post Beetles – Inspection News

Powderpost Beetle Conversations: Summary

As you can see by these reports, powderpost beetles are not to be taken lightly. We’ve seen home inspectors and property and casualty insurance agents run the other way when they encounter powderpost beetles. We’ve seen reports of utter destruction of wooden beams and foundations which literally “crumble in your hands”, leaving “nothing between the carpet and the ground under the house”!

If you have a powderpost beetle infestation, your house may be toast as far as its resale value. However, there are ways to fight the infestation and reclaim your home.

Powderpost Beetle Conversations – 7 Point Prescription

1. Exterminate the powderpost beetles. This will require a professional pest exterminator who has access to solutions that are available only to licensed pest exterminators.
2. Replace infested wood with new wood that has been properly kiln dried and certified free of powderpost beetles.
3. Ventilate every area of your home (crawl spaces, walls, roof) to keep the wood dry — a condition powderpost beetles do not like.
4. Never store firewood inside your home, even for brief periods of time.
5. Never build using lumber that has been lying around in a garage, barn, basement, outside.
6. Thoroughly inspect all furniture (especially imported furniture) for the presence of powderpost beetles. Look for the tale-tale pin holes that mark their exit from the wood.
7. When purchasing hardwood flooring or paneling (in particular wood of foreign origin), be especially sure to get a statement of certification from the seller that the wood is inspected and free of powderpost beetles.

Do you have a powderpost beetle problem?

Call ApolloX Pest Control

(888) 499-7378

We’re licensed pest exterminators with the required training, skill and experience treating homes and businesses with powderpost beetle issues.

The post Powderpost Beetle Conversations – First Hand Reports appeared first on Pest Control.