Wood Boring Beetle Infestations

- Typical infestations of wood boring beetles -

Powderpost beetles,sometimes called woodworms, are wood boring beetles that infest both softwoods like pine, fir, spruce and hardwoods like oak, maple, and ash. Unlike most other insects that damage wood (see Wood Destroying Insects), powderpost beetles have the potential to start a cycle of infestation that may last many years and do significant damage to the wood they infest.

Infestations of these beetles can have serious economic impact. Significant damage to hardwood flooring and cabinets can occur as well as weakening of structural timbers like posts, floor joists, subfloors, and other framing materials. Suspect infestations can also interfere with real estate transactions even if the beetles are no longer active.

Lyctid powderpost beetle emergence holes in the face frame of a kitchen cabinet (look carefully below the shadow).

Infestations usually come in one of two varieties: (1) infestations in softwood structural timbers like floor joists, posts, beams, or, (2) infestations of decorative hardwood such as flooring or cabinets. The following examples illustrate the range of typical situations.

Infestation in softwood structural beam

During a pest and dry-rot inspection of a newly renovated house powderpost beetle emergence holes are found in some structural timbers in the crawl space under the house. The home inspector reports this to the potential buyers who promptly pull out of the transaction. The home's owners want to know if the infestation is active and how to treat it so they can get the house back on the market.

Infestation in hardwood cabinets

A cabinet maker company is faced with replacing the kitchen cabinets in 40 apartments because the wood frames made of poplar show the characteristic signs of a powderpost beetle infestation (emergence holes and powder or boring dust, see image above). The primary concern is "will emerging beetles be a threat to other wood in the apartments?"

Infestation in hardwood flooring

Hardwood flooring is sometimes infested with lyctid powderpost beetles that begin to emerge after the flooring is installed. Flooring can be infested even if the stock material was kiln dried. Emerging beetles leave behind holes and "frass". Concerns range from "do the beetles pose a threat to other wood in the home?" to "when did the wood become infested and therefore who is legally responsible?" and, "how much damage will eventually occur?".

Answers to these and other questions about powderpost beetle infestations in softwoods and hardwoods can be found in the Related Articles below.

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