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

Situation #1

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.

Situation #2

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 wood powder or boring dust, see image above). The primary concern is "will emerging beetles be a threat to other wood in the apartments?"

Situation #3

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?"; "when did the wood become infested and therefore who is legally responsible?"; and, "how much damage will eventually occur?".