Guide to powder post beetles & old house borers in buildings.

This article provides powder post beetle & old house borer insect & rot damage photographs, inspection advice, and lists additional articles that discuss the inspection, detection, prevention, and repair of structural damage from insects (termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, powder post beetles, and other wood destroying insects), indoor mold, rot and building leaks or water entry.

Our page top photo shows our client holding a screwdriver that penetrated a powder-post-beetle-damaged beam fully to the hilt of the tool - indicating severe structural damage to a beam damaged by powder post beetles.

Powder Post Beetles - Old House Borer Damage Photographs

In our powder post beetle photos above, while there was significant beam damage, the infestation did not appear active.

Powder post beetle damaged wood will show multiple tiny holes, about 1/8" in diameter, leaving the outermost surface of the wood otherwise intact. Attacks on wood structures or furniture by this insect are notoriously difficult to treat and they've been the subject of worldwide study for more than 100 years (Hopkins 1903), with growing attention following the second World War.

Since the year 2000 L. brunneus is gradually being replaced by L. cavicollis. Other species of the subfamily Lyctinae are rarely found.

In the past L. brunneus was a typical indoor pest in Central Europe which was brought into new buildings with infested wooden materials or furniture.  ( Pospischil 2017)

Probing you will find powdery sawdust and damaged wood just below this skin. The older the powder post beetle (or old house borer beetle) damage is, the deeper into the wood the damage will extend.

For this reason, strategic probing is important to assess the depth of damage to the wood and thus to the wood structure. When powder post beetles are active you may see light dusting of fine wood powder around some of these holes as well as on surfaces below.

We look for the presence of fine wood powder around the insect exit holes or on the ground below the damaged infected member as indications of recent insect activity.

Below we are probing to determine the depth of insect damage into the beam;

and in the next photo below you can see powder post beetle damage in a hand hewn beam.

With the absence of fresh fine sawdust powder around the exit holes in these beams one might infer that the insects were not active at the time of inspection.

Below: a sketch of a powder post beetle larva (Snyder 1938) cited below in this article.

Below are more photographs of old house borer or powder post beetle damage in a floor support beam. We probe the structural member to find the depth of insect damage as a step in deciding if structural repair, reinforcement, or replacement are needed.

How to assess the extent of structural damage from powder post beetles

Details about when, where, how & why to probe wood structural and nonstructural components on buildings are found

at STRUCTURAL DAMAGE PROBING.

Assessing the extent of structural damage to wood framing members in a conventional building inspection involves the following phases and procedures:

Examples of probing powder post beetle infested wood for structural damage

Shown below, the ground-off ice pick wood probe s finding less-severe damage than the "to the hilt" stab of my dad's screwdriver demonstrated by our client above.

Watch out: while we advise against unwarranted cosmetic damage at a building interior, strategic probing of wood sills, rim joists, or floor structures (or other wood members) can disclose severe structural damage that was otherwise not evident.

Below, even our pen was able to easily puncture this termite-damaged joist that had been "cosmetically-repaired" using wood putty

Old House Borer Beetle risk from firewood?

Reader question: old house borers, adult beetles & larvae found in firewood stored in garage

We recently discovered the emergence of hundreds of, what looks like, Old House Borers from firewood that was stacked in our garage.

We've taken the firewood out of the garage now (where we could hear the larvae feeding) but are wondering if there's a possibility that they've infected the house as we have seen dozens crawling around the garage and have found a couple of adult/baby ones in other rooms of the house.

I've attached a picture of the beetle. Any feedback would be very greatly appreciated. - D.D. 6/4/2014

Reply:

Indeed the beetle in your photo looks like an adult old house borer beetle (Hylotrupes bajulus) -

Removing the infected firewood was a smart move. I would not be too nervous about seeing a few beetles or larvae that needed to be cleaned up on a garage floor.

IF the firewood were stored for many months against wood framing, indeed that framing could become infected too - you'd expect to see the small borer openings such as those we show in the article above.

If you see such infection (which is unlikely given the history you cite) send me some photos and I can comment further and of course a local pest control operator can apply a topical pesticide.

At above left I include a close-up photo of old house borer beetle exit holes - these are typically around 1/16"+ in diameter.

If the home has an accessible basement or crawl area that's the place to start inspecting with care.

Treatments for Powder Post Beetles & Old House Borers

Powder post beetle damage is typically treated with a topical insecticide spray.

Where infestation is severe and active, a tenting and fumgiation procedure (typically using Vikane) can be effective at killing both adult and larval powder post beetles. More on powder post beetle treatment by fumigation is below on this page.

Watch out: it's often the case that this insect pest can appear dormant for a very long time, years, but activity may renew when conditions such as moisture level or temperature change.

Some pest control operators (PCOs) also spray paint the wood surfaces in order to make it easier to spot a renewal of insect activity in the future.

An anonymous reader posted a claim that powder post beetles can be treated by microwave - the comment was deleted as it was basically an advertisement.

However experiments with microwave treatments for powder post beetles have indeed been conducted: wood is heated to 50C (or higher) for 30 minutes.

Watch out: the effectiveness of this treatment varies depending on wood species, moisture content, and other variables, and it may not be cost feasible for some structures or where invasion is extensive.

The research is focused on lab and production line treatment of wood, not in-situ treatment in buildings. Excerpting from Fleming et als

Wood temperatures greater than 62°C are lethal to pinewood nematodes and cerambycid larvae infesting red pine in a chamber in which the wood samples remain stationary.

Our preliminary findings also suggest, however, that nematodes or larvae in lumber in which the mw field is continuously moving, either by rotation or on a conveyor belt, die at lower wood temperatures than in a batch system without movement.

We recommend that additional experiments with non-stationary, commercial equipment be conducted to investigate this phenomenon further.

Additional assessment of the effects of conventionally heated vs non-heated mw chambers on lethal mw doses would also be helpful for the commercialization and regulatory process.

We can conclude from our experiments that commercial mw treatment (2.45 GHz) of 1-inch thick red pine lumber infested with cerambycids or pinewood nematodes is a feasible alternative to conventional heat treatment or methyl bromide fumigation. - Fleming (2005)

Powder post beetle (Lyctoxylon dentatum) infesting a Siberian elm desk: 12 Treatment Options

I have a desk made of pine and Siberian elm with some wood borer infestation. The bugs/beetles are small, brown, narrow and seem to have several legs on both sides.

Attached is a picture of the damage just under the surface of the elm that came away.
I would appreciate any help. I have not (as of yet) kept one to take a photo of.
Thank you. - 2021/03/30 - Kiersten

Moderator reply:

@Kiersten, sorry but from just your photo I cannot identify the word damaging insect. If you see what looks like mud or mud tubes that you probably have termites. Of course it could be something else. Try taking one of your insect to your local farm at home or environmental center. Or post a photo here for identification.

It's unusual to see surface damage and exposed insect galleries in the summer wood of the furniture like that in your photo. Usually all that we see of powder post beetles damage or a small holes in the surface of the wood.

It'd be useful to see a sharp photo of your powder post beetle as they're usually pretty shy about having their picture taken.

Reader follow-up:

I found one and it's a powder post beetle.

Moderator Reply: treatment & prevention of powder post beetle damage to wood furniture

In a less-common case I studied in Newburgh, New York decades ago, in a home that was virtually entirely eaten and destroyed by termites we found termite infestion in the legs of tables and chairs that had not been moved in years; termites entered the furniture by tunneling up through a wood floor into the furniture legs.

But in furniture that is more-often moved about, I suspect that at least sometimes the insect damage such as your powder post beetle infestation of a wooden desk is caused by larvae or eggs that were present in the wood at the time that the furniture was actually constructed.

Powder post beetles are difficult to treat effectively as their larvae can be deep inside the wood where they may survive for more than a decade (Lippert 1994).

Are Your Powder Post Beetles Active?

Above: tunnels of old powder post beetle activity in lumber that was sliced into plies in the constrution of plywood. (Snyder 1938).

Building owners/occupants can spot new powder post beetle activity by noticing very fine fresh light-yellow or pale yellow coloured sawdust around the small exit holes in wood. Other experts describe active powder post beetle frass as "light and fluffy" or as a "flour-liek powder" found on or piled beneath the infested wood. (Snyder 1938)

Old beetle frass will be darker in coluring, often a brassy colour or even brown, and it is usually more-adhered to the wood surface, having bonded, perhaps, by cycles of moisture or even by a prior pesticide application.

Twelve Beetle-damaged furniture treatment options

Below: powder post beetle larvae may be deep within wood where they're not much bothered by surface-applied pesticides. (Snyder 1938)

In buildings pest control workers often apply a topical pesticide at intervals;

But for treating beetle-infected furniture some different measures may be more successful.

Watch out: before choosing any wood-destroying insect control chemical be sure to review the safe-use procedures necessary; some pesticides are dangerous and can only be applied by a licensed professional.

At REFERENCES FOR CONTROL OF POWDER POST BEETLES / WOOD BORERS you'll find research artilces and more details about these methods for treating powder post beetles in furniture (as well as in wood structures).

1. Dry out vulnerable or beetle-infected wood:
   
   keeping moisture levels in wood framing or furniture below 18% helps wood resist attack from powder post beetles, termites, carpenter ants, and various fungi or molds.
   
   Really? Well yes, but drying out wood, while it may retard powder post beetle development, won't reliably kill off insects that have already infested the wood. Because eggs can sometimes survive for more than a decade, should conditions become more moist in the future, powder post beetle activity may well resume.
   
   To pursue this strategy see
   
   BASEMENT WATERPROOFING
   and
   CRAWL SPACE DRYOUT
2. Freezing to kill powder post or furniture beetles:
   
   if your powder post beetle or furniture beetle-infested furniture is located in a cold climate such as northern Minnesota, you may be able to kill the insects entirely if you can keep the furniture very cold (10° - 15°F for 72 hours or longer). As recently we were living in -24°F in Two Harbors for several months, when weather is dry and that cold, such treatment is entirely plausible.
   
   A few cycles of freezing, warming, and re-freezing can increase the effectiveness of this approach. (Lippert 1994).
3. Fumigation to kill furniture beetles:
   
   fumigation (in most cases, by licensed PCO only) in an enclosed chamber or plastic is an option for furniture, and has also been used for entire buildings by "tenting" the building.
   
   Where it can be applied safely, fumigation can effectively kill insects even deeper into the wood than can surface sprays or coatings, but keep in mind that fumigation provides no residual protection against re-infection. (Jones 2008)
   
   Watch out: some chemicals such as methyl bromide discussed in older powder post beetle control articles are now considered unsafe and should not be used.
   
   See details about using sulfuril fluoride (Vikane)
   
   at POWDER POST BEETLE FUMIGATION TREATMENT
   
4. Gamma radiation of furniture:
   
   Though this method had been found effective (Zahran 2016) it does not have practical application for household furniture except possibly in treatment of valuable, historic artifacts (OPINION of the editor).
5. Heat to kill powder post beetles
   
   was described by Snyder (1923) and of course others; for small items, treatment by microwave may also work.
6. Immersion in pesticide to kill powder post beetles:
   
   may be feasible for small wood items that can be immersed in a borate solution. (AmOR-S®, Boracane®, Safbor®, TIM-BOR®, or equivalent)
7. Plant extract treatments kill powder post beetle:
   
   using lemon grass and lantana plants has been reported somewhat successful and may bode well for safe treatments of powder post beetles. (Batt 2013)
8. Presure injection of pesticides:
   
   into wood using wicks inserted into the bore-holes left by beetles (in most cases, by licensed PCO only)
9. Removal of the infested wood:
   
   is an option in cases of building structural repair and may also be an option for some furniture.
10. Steaming
    
    of infected wood has been tested and found not effective against the Aobium sp. powder post beetle in bamboo (Febrianto (2013) though it was more-effective against some termite species.
11. Surface or topical application of pesticides:
    
    using a spray or brush-applied pesticide (in most cases, by licensed PCO only) is a very common treatment method in houses such as where active powder post beetle infestation is found in wood beams or joists over a basement or crrawl area; for furniture borates can also be applied as a brushed-on slurry or even a thicker paste.
    
    Our OPIION is that surface treatments for wood damaging insects that are often deep within the wood is slow and incomplete in effect. Also in our experience surface treatments of insect-infected wood are limited in penetration and thus effectieness.
    
    Copper-based pesticides penetrate only the first 1/8" or so of wood, depending on wood species and porosity.
    
    Surface coating of insect infected wood with a boron-based insecticide will be ineffective if the wood is furniture whose surfaces are already sealed by paint or varnish.
12. Seal the surface of furniture:
    
    where you think treatment has been successful, or where wood furniture is not already infested by powder post or furniture beetles, seal all surfaces with a varnish or lacquer. This will reduce the chances of a future infestation from outside the furniture itself.
    
    I [DF] have applied this strategy in the application of clear sealants to the otherwise un-coated wood surfaces of furniture such as the interior and under-side of desks and bureaus and their drawers or pull-outs. I use a spray shellac for a clear, fast-drying method of coating irregular surfaces, applied outdoors in good weather, and with the application of two or three coats.
    
    In homes where powder post beetles have already infected wooden beams, joists, posts, and where those have been treated, some owners paint a sealant on the framing both as a preventative measure and also because that coating makes it easy to spot new, fresh frass indicating a new cycle of insect activity.
    
    Also see our notes about probing wood to determine the extent of damage, discussed above on this page.
    
    Watch out: however experts warn that if there are already eggs, pupa, or adult insects in the furniture, surface sealants won't stop their future emergence and damage.

Reader follow-up:

I am thinking about calling a pest control control company to treat the wood and keep it wrapped in plastic for a couple of months outside after I sand off the varnish.

The desk top is more than 2 inches thick in places.

I live in Colorado. 2021/04/04

Fumigation Treatment of Powder Post Beetle-Infested Furniture

I would be cautious about leaving Furniture outside if it's in a climate that could be humid or wet. If it's so cold where you are that you could freeze at that would be an effective treatment but you wouldn't need more than a few days.

Currently weather in Colorado is mostly well above freezing - so that option's not going to help you before next year.

You could enclose and fumigate the furniture and let it cure under fumigation, but I expect your PCO expert to say that a few days is enough - you don't need months.

A common structural fumigant - applied by a licensed PCO - is Vikane or equivalent. But your PCO may have other suggestions when it's just a bit of furniture being treated for powder post beetles.

Before trying a local wrap-and-fumigate treatment for your powder post beetles, ask your pest control company if they have a local fumigation chamber in which they can treat your table. That would probably be a better, safer, more-effective option and it'll avoid the risk of leaving furniture un-attended outdoors.

Finally: compare the cost of treatment with the value of the furniture being treated.

See this

• VIKANE FUMIGATION PLANNING GUIDE [PDF] from Douglas Products, Vikane, Liberty, MO, USA, Website: https://vikanefumigant.com/ Email: info@douglasproducts.com Tel: +1 800-223-3684 retrieved 2021/04/05 original source: vikanefumigant.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/PDF_FumigationPlanningGuide-1.pdf
  
  This is a building fumigation guide but contains information helpful for furniture treatment too.

 

References for Control of Powder Post Beetles / Wood Borers

Research on treating powder post beetle (Lyctid Beetle) or furniture beetle (Anobid Beetle) infestation in wood furniture and in structures and insecticides and application instructions from agencies such as the US EPA are listed here.

Also for another identification photo, below the image of a powder post beetle (Lyctoxylon dentatum) is courtesy of Wikipedia.

• At POWDER POST BEETLE / FURNITURE BEETLE TREATMENT in FURNITURE - below on this page, we summarize specific options and recommendations for beetle-infested household furniture and other small wood items.
• Bartell, Steven M., and Shyam K. Nair. "Establishment risks for invasive species." Risk Analysis 24, no. 4 (2004): 833-845.
• Batt, Am, & M.S. Ahmed. TOXICITY OF SOME PLANT EXTRACTS AGAINST WOOD POWDER POST BEETLE, SINOXYLON SUDANICUM LESNE [PDF] (2013) Egypt. J. Agric. Res., 91 (3), 2013, Plant Protection Research Institute, ARC, Dokki, Giza
  Abstract excerpt:
  The present work was conducted to evaluate the toxicity of some plant extracts against wood borers.
  
  The obtained results showed that, average percentages of mortality of Sinoxylon sudanicum, beetles increased with increase of concentrations of different extracts of lemon grass and lantana plants.
• Douglas Products, VIKANE FUMIGATION PLANNING GUIDE [PDF] Douglas Products, Vikane, Liberty, MO, USA, Website: https://vikanefumigant.com/ Email: info@douglasproducts.com Tel: +1 800-223-3684 retrieved 2021/04/05 original source: vikanefumigant.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/PDF_FumigationPlanningGuide-1.pdf
  
  This is a building fumigation guide but contains information helpful for furniture treatment too.
• EAP. "RECENT PUBLICATIONS ON LYCTUS POWDER-POST BEETLES IN AUSTRALIA.(i) The Pore Size (Vessel Diameter) of some Australian Timbers and their Susceptibility to Attack by the Powder-post Borer, Lyctus Brunneus." (1935): 318-320.
• Gerberg, Eugene J., SPECIES OF POWDER-POST BEETLES BELONGING TO THE FAMILY LYCTIDAE [PDF] [ (1957). U.S. Department of Agriculture Tech. Bulletin No. 1157
  Excerpt from Introduction:
  This revisionary study of the beetles of the family Lyctidae evolved from the lack of adequate descriptions, illustrations, and, most important, keys to enable accurate identification of these economically important insects. All species, including those introduced or intercepted in the Americas and Caribbean islands, are treated.
  
  Five genera and twenty-nine species are discussed. As there had been no key to the genera of lyctids of the world, a key to the 12 genera was devised. Whenever specimens were not available, reliance was placed on the original descriptions of genera and species. Keys to the New World species were prepared, and the species have been redescribed and illustrated.
  
  This information should be of material aid, as most of the previous taxonomic work on this family consisted of individual descriptions, usually short, vague, and inadequate.
• Febrianto, Fauzi, Intan Purnamasari, Arinana Arinana, Adiyantara Gumilang, and Nam H. Kim. "Steaming effect on natural durability of bamboo oriented strand board against termites and powder post beetle." Jurnal Ilmu dan Teknologi Kayu Tropis 11, no. 2 (2013): 161-169.
• Hopkins, Andrew Delmar. Powder-post damage by Lyctus beetles to seasoned hardwood. No. 778. US Department of Agriculture, 1917.
• Jackman, J.A., Chris Sanbsonbe, Roger Gold, also Brown, Wizzie, WOOD-BORING BEETLES of StRUCTURES [PDF] (2011) Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, retrieved 2020/03/06, original source: AgriLifeExtension.tamu.edu and AgriLifeBookstore.org
• Jones, Susan C., Ph.D.. POWDER POST BEETLES [PDF] (2008) Ohio State University Extension, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Fact sheet HYG-2090-09
  
  Note: useful summary/handout for building inspectors & homeowners, Jones discusses powder post beetle (Lactid beetles) identification, life cycle, damage characteristics, types of wood attacked, determining whether or not the infestation is active, and steps to control these pests.
• Fleming, Mary R., John J. Janowiak, Jeffrey D. Kimmel John M. Halbrendt, Leah S. Bauer Deborah L. Miller, and Kelli Hoover. "Efficacy of commercial microwave equipment for eradication of pine wood nematodes and cerambycid larvae infesting red pine." Forest 10006 (2005).
• Fleming, Mary R., John J. Janowiak, John M. Halbrendt, Leah S. Bauer, Deborah L. Miller, and Kelli Hoover. "Feasibility of eradicating cerambycid larvae and pinewood nematodes infesting lumber with commercial 2.45 GHz microwave equipment." Forest Products Journal 55, no. 12 (2005): 227-232.
• Hopkins, Andrew Delmar. "Powder-post injury to seasoned wood products." (1903).
• Lippert, George E. POWDER POST BEETLES & FURNITURE BEETLES [PDF] (1994).Kansas State Univesity, Cooperative Extensioin Service, https://krex.k-state.edu/
  [Watch out: some of the advice in this publication may be obsolete]
• Ludovico, Antonio. "Evaluation of the efficiency of the treatment applied to giant bamboo strips with pyroligneous acid against powder-post beetle."
• Okwori, Ogbanje Robert. METHODS OF EXTERMINATING BIOLOGICAL DESTRUCTIVE AGENTS FROM HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria [PDF] (2012) in Proceedings of the 55th International Convention of Society of Wood Science and Technology August 27-31, 2012 - Beijing, CHINA, (2012). Department of Industrial and Technology Education, Wood Technology Section Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria Email: okworirobert@yahoo.com Phone: +2348060996524
  Abstract:
  This study identified methods of exterminating biological destructive agents from household furniture in Jos metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria. It discovered types of biological destructive agents such as wood borers, ants and termites that infest household furniture in that area.
  
  The type of wood used for household furniture was also identified. Methods used in exterminating biological destructive agents were discussed. ...
  
  The findings of the study revealed that majority of the cabinet makers used oil can to apply kerosene and use brush to apply creosote oil for exterminating biological destructive agents. The wood mostly used by cabinet makers for constructing household furniture was Achuwele (Hardwood).
  
  The biological agents that infest household furniture in that area were powder post beetles, ants and termites. It was recommended that baygun spray (insecticide) should be used since it is stronger, effective and faster in killing wood borers, hardwood such as Mahogany, Iroko and Agbuntu should be used for constructing household furniture.
  
  The wood to be used for furniture should be properly seasoned and the moisture content of such wood should not be more than twenty percent.
• Parkin, E. A. THE KILN-STERILIZATION OF TIMBER INFESTED BY LTCTUS POWDER-POST BEETLES [PDF] Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research 11, no. 1 (1937): 32-39.
• Pospischil, R. E. I. N. E. R. LYCTUS (COLEOPTERA: BOSTRYCHIDAE): A NEVER ENDING STORY [PDF] In Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Urban Pests, pp. 377-380. Birmingham: Pureprint Group, 2017.
  Abstract
  
  Alien true powder post beetle (Lyctinae) species started to be a concern with the growing worldwide trade after the Second World War. Lyctus brunneus arrived in Central Europe 70 years ago and replaced the native species Lyctus linearis as lyctine beetle of economic importance. But this situation changed at the end of last century.
  
  The author received numerous Lyctus cavicollis samples from different places of Germany between 2010 and 2017. Until 20 years ago this species was rare in Central Europe. However, in the meantime it established indoors and outdoors and reached a similar economic importance as Lyctus brunneus.
  
  Infestation by lyctine beetles was a typical indoor problem in the past and the source of introduction were infested woods. Nowadays outdoor populations of Lyctus cavicollis (and in the south west of Central Europe also Lyctus brunneus!) may invade homes (for example with firewood).
• Quarles, William. "Thermal pest eradication in structures." IPM Practitioner 28, no. 5/6 (2006): 1-8.
• Shu-qing, Shi Zhen-hua Tan. "A STUDY ON LYCTID POWDER-POST BEETLE (MINTHEA RUGICOLLIS (WALKER))[J]." Scientia Silvae Sinicae 4 (1981).
  Abstract:
  Minthea rugicollis(Wallser),distributed in the provinces south of Yangtse River and in Taiwan,is one of the principal injurious in-sects of furniture and building construction woods.It has three generations a year in Hainan Island The first generation lasts 91.5+16.2 days,the second 93.8+14.4 days and the third 178.4+16.2 days.
  
  The beetle emerges throughout the year,with a peak from the end of March to the beginning of April.Minthca rugicollis(Walker) attacks about 80 species of woods.The more effective insecticide against it is boric acid and borax.The toxic limit of boric acid is 0.08—0.16% and of borax 0.16—0.32%.
  
  To treat the woods of building construction and furniture with the BBP mixture(borax 35%,boric acid 30%,sodium pentrachlorph- enate 35%)at 6—8kg/m~3,may get an enduring effect of protection of 10 ye- ars.At least also,it can be prevented with sodium fluoride,DDT and Permethrin.

Above: Dorsal view of Lyctoderma coomani Lesne, 1932 ecerpted from Sittichaya (2009 p. 40) cited just below.

• Sittichaya, Wisut, Roger Beaver, Lan-Yu Liu, and Aran Ngampongsai. AN ILLUSTRATED KEY TO POWDER POST BEETLES (COLEOPTERA, BOSTRICHIDAE) ASSOCIATED WITH RUBBERWOOD IN THAILAND, [PDF] with new records and a checklist of species found in Southern Thailand." ZooKeys 26 (2009): 33.
  Abstract:
  An illustrated key to seventeen species of Bostrichidae recorded in association with rubberwood in Thai- land is provided. A checklist is given of nine species infesting rubberwood sawn timber in sawmills in southern Thailand, with information on distribution, host trees and biology. Three species are recorded for the first time from Thailand: Cephalotoma tonkinea Lesne, Lyctoxylon dentatum (Pascoe), and Minthea reticulata Lesne.

• Snyder, Thomas Elliott. Preventing damage by Lyctus powder-post beetles. No. 1477. US Department of Agriculture, 1938.
• Snyder, T. E. "High temperatures as a remedy for Lyctus powder-post beetles." Journal of Forestry 21, no. 8 (1923): 810-814.
• Spencer, G. J. THE INSECTS ATTACKING STRUCTURAL TIMBERS AND FURNITURE IN HOMES IN COASTAL BRITISH COLUMBIA [PDF] Journal of the Entomological Society of British Columbia 55 (2019): 8-13.
• U.S. EPA, EVERCIDE OUTDOOR INSECT CONTROL-2790 [PDF] (2002)
• U.S. EPA, IMIDACLOPRID 0.05% TERMITE FOAM [PDF] can also be effective against powder post beetles and other wood-boring insects.
• U.S. EPA, NIBOR BORATE INSECTICIDE [PDF] (2005), retrieved 2021/04/05 original source: https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/064405-00008-20050713.pdf
• U.S. EPA, SULFURYL FLUORIDE QUALITATIVE USE ASSESSMENT [Vikane] [PDF] (1984) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency retrieved 2021/04/05 original source: https://www3.epa.gov/ pesticides/chem_search/ cleared_reviews/csr_PC-078003_2-Jul-84_005.pdf
• U.S. SEP, STRUCTURAL FUMIGATION MANUAL for Vikane® SPECIALTY GAS FUMIGANT [PDF] (2014) Produced for Dow AgroSciences LLC 9330 Zionsville Road Indianapolis, IN 46268
  Excerpt:
  For control of: Existing infestations of listed insects and related pests such as drywood termites, Formosan termites, powder post beetles, death watch beetles, old house borers, bedbugs, cockroaches, clothes moths, rodents (rats, mice), and the larvae and adults of carpet beetles (except egg stage), oriental, American, and brown-banded cockroaches.
  
  For use in: Dwellings (including mobile homes), buildings, construction materials, furnishings (household effects), shipping containers and vehicles including automobiles, buses, surface ships, passenger railcars, and recreational vehicles (but not including aircraft).
  
  When fumigating, observe local, state, and federal rules and regulations including such things as use of chloropicrin, clearing devices, positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus, security requirements, and placement of warning signs.
  
  Application personnel must participate in Dow AgroSciences' Sulfuryl Fluoride Training and Stewardship Plan.
  
  Watch out: Danger - Poison - PELIGRO Si usted no lee inglés, no use este producto hasta que la etiqueta le haya sido explicada ampliamente.
• U Kentucky, FUMIGATION PROCEDURES [PDF] (2016) University of Kentucky, Pesticide Education Program, retrieved 2021/04/05 original source: https://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/PSEP/pdfs/cat1b7cfumigation.pdf
  Excerpt:
  
  Fumigants are gases or chemicals that become gases soon after release. They can kill many kinds of pests when applied at a high enough concentration for a sufficient time. Fumigant molecules are much smaller than spray droplets or mists so they can penetrate even seemingly solid items like brick, concrete, and wood.
  
  The effectiveness of a fumigant is lost if it is not confined to the treatment area for a sufficient time and these products do not provide residual protection. New pests can attack as soon as a treated commodity or structure has been aerated.
  
  Fumigation is one of the quickest and most effective ways to eliminate pests in stored commodities, shipping containers, or structures. In addition, the process is used in quarantine situations to prevent pests from being moved from one location to another.
  
  Watch out: Fumigants are some of the most toxic pesticides in the world. Many are fast acting, odorless, and invisible. Small amounts can kill people and non-target animals. Some are highly flammable; others are corrosive. Skill and training are critical for safe use of this group of pesticides.
• VIKANE FUMIGATION PLANNING GUIDE [PDF] from Douglas Products, Vikane, Liberty, MO, USA, Website: https://vikanefumigant.com/ Email: info@douglasproducts.com Tel: +1 800-223-3684 retrieved 2021/04/05 original source: vikanefumigant.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/PDF_FumigationPlanningGuide-1.pdf

Above: Photomicrograph of ventral surface of full grown pupae of L. africanus (Zahran 2016).

• Zahran, N. F., A. F. Hamza, and M. H. Ramadan. GAMMA IRRADIATION AS ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR CONTROLLING LYCTUS AFRICANUS LESNE (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) IN DRY WOOD [PDF] Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control 26, no. 1 (2016): 97.
  Abstract:
  The present study was carried to determine the efficacy of gamma radiation on different developmental stages of the powder post beetles, Lyctus africanus Lesne (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae).
  
  The lethal dose of gamma radiation for larvae, pupae, and adults was determined. Mortality following irradiation of larvae was significantly high at all doses of irradiation.
  
  No adults emerged from larvae irradiated at 80 and 100Gy. On the other hand, the losses in wood weight decreased with increasing gamma doses. Irradiated pupae with all radiation doses (20 to 100Gy) had no effect on adult emergence.
  
  Exposing pupae to different gamma irradiation doses (20 up to 100Gy) showed morphological changes. Adults of L. africanus irradiated with the doses of 120 and 140Gy died soon after emergence.

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

What to do about powder post beetles in bathroom vanity (cabinetry)

I have powder post beetles in my built in vanity in my bathroom. I assume the larvae were in the wood when it was built. Any suggestions on what we can do? I sweet up tiny piles almost every day. It is not always in the same place. Does this mean there are many? - On 2023-06-17 by Janet -

Reply by InspectApedia Publisher (mod)

@Janet,

It would be very odd to find active insects in a bathroom vanity or similar cabinetry as normally that wood is very dry, is milled, and then formed into cabinets in a factory. They'd not be likely to use insect-infested wood.

But I have indeed found active wood destroying insects in wood furniture, cabinetry, etc. in buildings where there is insect activity in the building itself.

In one of the worst termite damaged buildings I saw - in Beacon, New York - the home had been unoccupied for a long time but had a history of decades of insect attack. I found termites had come up through the kitchen floor right into the legs of chairs around a kitchen table!

About your bath vanity: If there are active powder post beetles in your bath vanity treating it effectively can be quite difficult.

Topical sprays simply don't penetrate enough to kill larvae deeper into the wood, and fumigating the vanity in its installed position is difficult, if not impossible and probably impractical.

If spraying with an insecticide that is approved for indoor use isn't effective I'm sorry to say you probably want to replace the vanity.

Watch out: the more-important question here is how the powder post beetles got into the vanity. It'd be unusual for them to be in the wood at time of construction. Most modern vanities use plywood and particleboard with a bit of solid lumber for the vanity front.

I'd want to inspect the structure around, particularly below, the vanity - if there is a basement or crawl space be sure to have that done to check for a larger powder post beetle invasion of the structure.

Let me know what you find, and post photos (one per comment) of your powder post beetle invaded vanity and we can comment further.

We can't get rid of a powder post beetle infestation that gave my daughter an infection - need help

Daughter has an infestation of powder post beetles. No ne cant get rid of them..Its been eating all her wood for 5 years.

She now has sepces blood infection and is concernded that they are the cause of her infection... Please can you give me some advice and possible test a piece of wood if its sent to whereever. Plz I need some advicce or help . ASAP - On 2022-12-05 by ezsassy62@gmail.com -

Reply by InspectApedia (Editor) (mod) - powder post beetles would not cause sepsis nor other blood infections in humans

@ezsassy62,

Powder post beetles themselves or the dust that they make would not cause an infection and certainly not a blood infection in someone. However if the building has been improperly treated with pesticides or other chemicals that could be a health risk to building occupants.

Even then I'm not familiar blood infections from those hazards.

Frankly this is an important question that you need to take to your doctor. Find a doctor you trust, ask if she thinks that there's a possible environmental cause or contributor or aggravator to the health conditions you described, and you can proceed from there.

On 2021-09-01 by Laurie Hofherr - want a solution to powder post beetles in basement wood

We have an old house with powder post beetle damage in the ceiling wood in the basement. We have lived in the the house for 15 years with no issues. In the last three months the sawdust is somehow spraying all over the first floor of the house. We are looking for a solution

On 2021-09-01 by mak.church (mod)

@Laurie Hofherr,

It is unknown whether the PP beetles have worked their way up through the basement ceiling and are now coming through into the first floor. And 15 years 'with no issues' doesn't necessarily mean that there are no unseen issues that may have occurred or are occurring within the framing or flooring.

Treatment for PP beetles is normally a topical spray; it is very difficult to get penetration into the core of wood framing and flooring, so it's not uncommon for a new crop of these pests to emerge from time to time.

Proper steps to control them are re-treatment by a licensed PCO and also an inspection to see if there are additional steps needed to control basement / crawl space moisture levels or water entry, and to check that structural repairs aren't needed.

Question: Lyctid powder post beetle infesting a blue-pine home-made wooden bed

2020/03/06 crystalgrant39 said:

I made a bed out of blue pine sanded and varathane the wood. It has been in the home about two months.

In the last month beetles have come out of the wood. I estimate we have found abut 15 beetles in 1 month.

Do I have to get rid of the bed? Will the beetles eat my house? I appreciate your thoughts. I tried to include a picture of 1 of the beetles.

Reply:

Crystal:

Your photo is of a Lyctid powder post beetle - good going. If you can take a sharper image I'd sure like to include it in the article above.

About your bed:
It sure sounds as if that pine is infested.

It is very hard to completely kill all of the powderpost beetle larvae and beetles in infected wood. That's why standard advice is to "remove all of the infested wood completely"

But let's not give up right away.

You might be able to salvage it by aggressive insecticide treatment.

To do this effectively you'll need to strip all of the wood surfaces of any paint or varnish or sealer (otherwise the insecticide isn't effective). Experts point out that surface treatment ONLY kills the adult beetles as they emerge, it doesn't kill the larvae deep in the wood. (That's why treating powder post beetles is so difficult).

More help and advice and treatment and prevention suggestions for wood destroying beetles is are given above on this page.

I would remove the bedding, dis-assemble the bed as far as possible, then take it outside or out of the living area (such as into a garage) where it can be treated with insecticide and left in sealed plastic covering or bags for a month or two.

Or alternatively, if it is possibe for you to heat the wood without damaging it, (less than 2" thick) to a sufficient temperature (wood internal temperature must reach 140-150 F for 2-4 hours) you may be able to kill the larvae.

Wipe the wood clean, treat it, bag it, wait, then inspect it for sawdust or other indications of insect activity.

Keep me posted.

...

Continue reading at COMPARE TERMITE DAMAGE to POWDER POST BEETLE or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see POWDER POST BEETLE DAMAGE FAQs - questions & answers about finding & evaluating old house borer or powder post beetle damage posted originally at the end of this page.

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