Powderpost Beetles are similar to termites. Like termites, powderpost beetles have the ability to damage dry, seasoned wood. This can make identifying powderpost beetle somewhat confusing for homeowners. The experts at Magic Pest can identify powderpost beetles and come up with a solution to get rid of your infestation. 

Powderpost Beetles are small beetles about 1/8-3/4 inches long. They reduce wood into a powder. Grub like larvae create tunnels in wood as they feed. The larval and tunneling development both take place below the woods’ surface. Signs of an infestation are powder from the damaged wood and pin holes in its surface. These pin holes are actually exit holes where adult beetles have chewed out of the wood after completing their development. Newly emerged adults’ mate and lay their eggs on or below the surface of bare, unfinished wood. The eggs hatch into tiny larvae that bore into the wood, emerging as adults one to five years later, depending on their species. Adults are active at night. People are more likely to see damage, than see the beetle. Powderpost Beetles are found in various types of wood.

Powderpost Beetle Species

There are three different species of Powderpost Beetles, Lyctids, Anobiids, and Bostrichids. 

Lyctid Powderpost Beetle

Lyctid Powderpost Beetles are small, 1/16-1/4 inch long. They are narrow and elongated, and reddish-brown to black in color. Lyctid’s exit holes are round and about the size of a pinhead. Lyctid Powderpost Beetles strike wood products only manufactured from hardwood trees such as oak, ash, walnut, hickory, poplar, and cherry. Infestations of Lyctids are associated with flooring, paneling, molding, windows, door frames, and furniture. They do not normally attack structural components like studs, joists, beams, etc. Females locate vulnerable wood to lay eggs after emerging and mating. Females insert 10 to 50 eggs into the tiny pores of the unfinished wood. 

Bostrichid Powderpost Beetle

Bostrichid Powderpost Beetles vary in size. They range between 1/8-1/4 inches in size and are reddish-brown to black in color. Bostrichid Powderpost Beetles are less narrow bodied. They are flattened and their heads are slanted downward, appearing somewhat hooded. Many Bostrichids also have tiny, roughened, rasp-like lumps behind their heads. Some have a pair of projecting spines at the end of their body. 

Female Bostrichid Powderpost Beetles have a habit of boring directly into wood to lay their eggs. Bostrichid Powderpost Beetles are a more serious threat to hardwood. Newly processed woods with starch and moisture content, as well as tropical hardwood like bamboo are very vulnerable. 

Anobiid Powderpost Beetle

Anobiid Powderpost Beetles are convex, reddish to dark brown, and capable of attacking both hardwood and softwood. Anobiid Powderpost Beetles are often confused with Cigarette Beetles, that attack stored food. Anobiid Powderpost Beetles exit holes are 1/16-1/8 inches. Anobiids Powderpost Beetles are considered more of a threat since they attack and seriously damage beams, joists, and other structural components of a home. Anobiids prefer to infest moist wood, compared to the other groups. Infestations can also be found in moist crawl spaces, basements, garages, and unheated buildings. Anobiid Powderpost Beetle infestations are more common in the southern states where there is a lot of humidity and high temperatures. Adult Anobiids emerge during the spring and summer months when temperatures start to rise. They dwell in tree limbs and are strong fliers. Infestations may come from infested lumber or firewood. 

The experts at Magic Pest and Lawn have the knowledge to identify which group of Powderpost Beetle you are dealing with. Magic Pest and Lawn can also identify if you have an active infestation or not. Magic Pest and Lawn has the solution to treat Powderpost beetles and to prevent infestations in the future. Call the experts at Magic Pest today!