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Protecting Wood From
Beetles
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Difficult to control but fairly easy to prevent
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Summary: Certain small wood
boring beetles (powderpost beetles) attack
both hardwoods and softwoods. While it is relatively
easy to prevent an infestation it can be very
difficult to eliminate one once the infestation gets
a foothold.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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Borates protect wood
from beetles
Borate insecticides
such as Bora
Care and Timbor
are often the best choice when treating active
infestations of wood boring beetles, and for
preventing infestations from starting (see What
are Borate Insecticides? and What
is Bora Care? and/or What
is Timbor Insecticide? for more
information).
Borate insecticides
are applied as liquids and form a layer of borate
crystals in the wood's surface layer when they
dry. Borate is toxic to insects, and fungi, and
and thus prevent wood borers from crossing this
layer either boring in or out. They do
not generally control
larvae that are already in the wood at
the time of application, however.
If
you are installing hardwood flooring,
for example, here's a suggestion: flooring
material is sometimes infested with lyctid
powderpost beetles when it arrives on the job
site. Despite manufacturer's claims to the
contrary, this can occur even if the flooring
stock has been kiln-dried. Kiln-dried wood can
become infested if stored improperly and exposed
to an active beetle infestation.
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Anobiid
powderpost beetle emergence holes in
fir.
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To stop a potential
infestation treat the flooring stock with borate
before installation. Borate solution should be applied
to the unfinished back and tongue/groove
edges. Solution can also be applied to the top if this
surface is unfinished. Do not apply to finished
surfaces because the borate solution must soak in to
be effective. Borate solution can be mixed yourself
and applied with a small brush or paint roller.
After the solution dries
the wood will be impregnated with borate which will
prevent beetle larvae from boring into the underside,
or edges, once the floor is installed. The top side is
protected by the finish applied to this surface. Don't
get the wood too wet as the flooring may warp, and
allow flooring to dry completely before installation.
This procedure
won't stop beetles already in the wood floor from
emerging but it might stop, or slow, an infestation
from growing.
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Prevent structural wood
damage
Infestations of anobiid
powderpost beetles in structural wood like
floor joists, wall studs and posts occur mainly in
coastal, and other damp, climates where the wood has
a relatively high moisture content. Damage can
be extensive if left untreated. Weakened timbers should
be replaced and remaining wood treated with borate
insecticide. Borate-based insecticides are available
here.
What are
Wood Boring Powderpost Beetles?
Powderpost
Beetles Guide (pdf)
You'll need Acrobat Reader (or equivalent) to open the
pdf file.
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Anobiid beetle
damage in softwood. Damage (arrow) is
concentrated near the surface in this side
view.
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Still
Have A Question About Treating Powderpost Beetles? ... Ask It Here
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Mission: To
provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information
for solving common insect and mite problems around
your home, business and landscape using least-toxic
methods.
Jack DeAngelis,
Ph.D.
Please see the Disclaimer statements as
well.
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