Wood Boring Beetles

 Aside from ants and termites, only wood-boring beetles and wood decay fungus (rot) cause serious damage in man-made structures.

The most common Woodboring beetles include three major groups: the true powderpost beetle (Lyctrdae), the false powder beetle (Bostrichidae), and the deathwatch beetle (Anobiidae). Attack by these pests is characterized by small to medium sized holes in the infested wood where adult beetles have exited. Also infecting homes are the Old house borers, which are members of a large beetle family called the long-horned beetles, named because of their long antennae which are about one-third the body length (or longer).

The Lyctrdae beetles strictly attack hardwoods such as oak, maple and walnut. They are rarely found in the Northwest and most infestations occur in imported lumber used for baseboards, moldings, furniture, flooring, cabinets etc.

Bostrichid beetles are not found in the Pacific Northwest. Most of the Woodboring beetles found in structures in the Northwest belong to the family Anobiidae, commonly called deathwatch beetles. Anobiidae, have caused major extensive damage to structural wood in sub-area crawl spaces of homes west of the Cascades. They thrive in moist damp wood and are common in homes with inadequate ventilation and no vapor barrier in place. Anobiids attack both hardwoods and softwoods. Control of anobiids involves replacing severely damaged wood, eliminating conditions which cause the wood to become moist, and spraying the wood with a residual chemical to kill emerging adults and to prevent re-infestation.

Due to the nature of Woodboring beetles infesting in areas seldom seen by the homeowner and the lack of adult insects seen inside the home, it is very rare that infestations and/or damage is found unless a WDO inspection has been performed.

If you live in an older home (25+ years) that contains a sub-area crawl space, it is highly recommended to have your home inspected for the presence of wood destroying organisms, which would include visible evidence of Woodboring beetles. Call BUGABOO Pest Control today for a complete on-site inspection for accurate identification and recommendations.

Copyright © 2001 [Alan Luke]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 06/25/10. Home