Insects are considered pests for many reasons. Some pests sting or bite, some transmit dangerous diseases, and some are known for the property damage they cause. In this last group, many insects eat and destroy the wood in a home. Powder post beetles fit into this category. These wood-eating beetles can spend years eating away at the wood in a home before being noticed, causing damage that is both dangerous and costly. You may know something about these beetles, or they may be a new pest in your life. In either case, we’ve collected some information on how to identify and prevent an infestation of powder post beetles.
Appearance
Powder post beetles can be anywhere from a reddish color to brown or black. They are extremely slender beetles that grow to be less than an inch long. The beetles themselves are not the ones that destroy a home. It’s their cream-colored larvae that damage and destroy wood. They have a distinctive c shape, but you likely won’t see them until it’s too late. You’ll probably see evidence of an infestation before you see the bugs themselves.
Infestation
Powder post beetles eat almost any kind of wood. They can find food in hardwood flooring, wooden walls, furniture, and the wooden structures of a home. But by the time you realize they’ve been building tunnels through your wood, it may be too late for an easy fix. To find an infestation, you need to keep an eye out for the exit holes they make, which are often accompanied by small piles of sawdust. If you see sawdust or holes in your wood, you should have professional pest control services check for powder post beetles and other wood-destroying pests.
Damage
The damage from powder post beetles can be extensive. The larvae can eat wood, build tunnels, and live in your home for up to four years. This can ruin furniture pieces such as trunks, dressers, desks, and more. They can also cause damage to floors or cabinets. The worst damage powder post beetles can cause is in the wooden structure of a home. Given enough time, undetected, powder post beetles can severely impact the structural integrity of a home, and the repairs can be costly and time-consuming. It’s best to stop these pests early.
Prevention
To prevent powder post beetles, you need to avoid bringing them into your house in the first place. Check the source of your wood and avoid using old lumber or lumber that has been sitting outside for a long time. Don’t use unfinished wood around your home. Finally, you can prevent powder post beetles early on by reducing the moisture in your home, especially in crawlspaces and storage spaces, and by ventilating crawlspaces as much as possible.
If prevention fails, let Aiken Pest Control help you get rid of these expensive pests. We can help you identify an infestation early if you still aren’t sure, and we can help you create a custom pest control treatment plan that works for your situation and your needs. There’s no reason to leave your house at the mercy of powder post beetles. Now that you know how to identify an infestation, keep an eye out for signs of these pests, and remember that Aiken Pest Control is always standing by to help.