Notice the exit holes in the damaged wood.
There are approximately four insect groups that fall into the category of powderpost beetles.
- Lyctid True Powderpost Beetles- Infest Furniture, Cabinets, and Flooring
- Bostrichid False Powderpost Beetles- Infest Furniture, Cabinets, and Flooring (high starch exotics like bamboo and rattan furniture)
- Anobiid/ Ptinid/ Deathwatch Powderpost Beetles- Infest Structural Timbers (generally softwood or pine framing with a moisture content above 12%)
- Curculionidae Wood Weevils- Infest Structural Timbers (prefers fungi-darkened softwood with a moisture level above 12%)
Many come from live, stressed-out trees, fallen timber, or firewood brought into or near homes. Others can be introduced into a home through furnishings, cabinets, and flooring.
A high soil grade against the structure is one of the most conducive conditions. The soil should be at least 2 inches below the lowest point of framing lumber. The soil grade must also allow for rapid water drainage away from the structure. This needs to be done before any treatment. You want no wood-to-soil contact anywhere in or around the home. Fix leaking pipes and dispose of scrap wood in crawlspaces and other infested materials. Ensure laundry and bathroom exhaust fans vent directly outside/ are not released inside the structure.
These pests damage wood slowly over time. In most cases, the infested wood can be replaced without much threat of the problem spreading. Wood treatments are the best option if the wood cannot be replaced. A borate product like Bora-Care penetrates the wood, providing long-term protection. Surface treatments can also be made with other pesticides. These don’t penetrate into the wood like Bora-Care but kill emerging beetles with a residual spray product.