Pest ID Learn about the pests that impact homes and businesses across Central Massachusetts.

Pest Identification: Pest ID: Powder Post Beetles

Powder post beetles can be a serious problem for homeowners because they can destroy not only cellar beams but furniture as well. Most often the home owner is never even aware of their silent and destructive activity.

Powder post beetles earned their name because of the fine wood dust, or powder type of frass, they produce as they bore through a variety of woods. Furniture in particular, can have relatively high moisture content – about 14 percent or higher. Powder Post Beetles are typically very active in poorly-ventilated areas, especially after furniture has absorbed moisture over time. In fact, powder post beetles have been known to be inside furniture for decades before ever even revealing their presence.

Powder post beetles are very small – only about a 1/16 to 3/8 of an inch in length. While you might think it’s the adult powder post beetles that do all the damage, it’s actually done by mature larvae – adult powder post beetles only live long enough to breed more powder post beetles. They go through a complete metamorphosis, just like flies and fleas, starting with eggs, growing to larvae, pupae, and then finally on to adulthood.

If you think you might have a powder post beetle infestation, contact experienced professional exterminators, such as Ford’s Hometown Services. They’ll know the proper techniques and treatments to get rid of your powder post beetle problem.

There are actually three types of powder post beetles: anobiid, lyctid, and bostrichidae. Lyctid powder post beetles are the ones most commonly found in households because they prefer hardwoods such as mahogany and oak, which is most often used in making furniture. The powder – or “frass” as it’s called – is very fine and flour-like. Lyctid powder post beetles leave exit holes about the size of a push pin hole.

If you suspect you might have powder post beetles, play it safe and call the pros here at Ford’s Hometown Services. We’ll quickly evaluate the situation and determine if you need to take steps to eliminate powder post beetles.

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