Powderpost Beetles

The powderpost beetle is an insect that tends to fly under the radar. It is a wood-destroying pest that isn't as well known as its more famous cousins, the carpenter ant, and the termite. But don't underestimate powderpost beetles and their ability to damage wood structures.

Powderpost beetles are reddish-brown, and their body is long, narrow, and flattened. Adult females lay their eggs in cracks and crevices found in pieces of wood. When the larvae emerge from the egg, they feed on the wood, causing damage.

Powderpost beetles aren't directly dangerous to people, but the damage that they cause inside our homes and to our bank accounts does affect us. As the larvae feed, they cause more and more damage to the wood they are feeding on. Depending on the species and environmental conditions, powderpost beetle larvae can feed for months or years before they pupate. Once they develop into adults, they emerge from the wood they were living and feeding in. 

The wood that powderpost beetles are feeding in has holes in its exterior, where these pests kick out a fine powdery substance that is a mixture of excrement and sawdust. They will also create large holes in the exterior of the wood that the adults emerge through.

Powderpost beetles are usually introduced into your Tampa, FL home in a piece of wood or wooden furniture already infested with their eggs or larvae.

Another way a powderpost beetle infestation can occur is after adults find their way into your home and females lay their eggs on a piece of wood in your home. Adults are active at night and attracted to the exterior of your house by lights. As they crawl around your home's exterior, they can find their way inside through cracks in exterior walls, spaces around windows, and through vents.

Powderpost beetles usually prefer to attack untreated hardwoods and can be found infesting various wood structures in a home. Some of the most common things that these pests attack and damage in our homes include:

• Hardwood floors
• Structural wood
• Antique wooden furniture
• Wood trim and window sills
• Wood paneling

Since powderpost beetles attack the interior of wood, noticing an infestation can be difficult. The best way to prevent significant damage in your home by these wood-destroying pests is to have your home regularly visited by a pest control professional!

Powderpost beetles are wood-destroying pests that must be eliminated from any home they have infested as quickly as possible. The best way to accomplish this goal is with the help of a local professional.

At Haskell Termite & Pest Control, we will quickly determine the extent of the infestation, provide effective treatment, and the follow-up services necessary to ensure these destructive pests are eliminated from your Tampa Bay area home or business. To learn more about our home powderpost beetle solutions and why they are the right fit for your property, please reach out to us today!

Preventing problems with powderpost beetles can be difficult as they can move into our homes unnoticed. Implement the following strategies to help stop powderpost beetles from successfully infiltrating your home.

• When bringing a new piece of wood furniture or other wood inside, make sure it has been waxed, stained, painted, or otherwise treated. 
• Ensure that new construction wood has been stored correctly and has been air or kiln-dried to remove moisture.
• Don't store wood furniture in barns or sheds; these buildings are easily infested with powderpost beetles.
• Use dehumidifiers to keep moisture levels low in your home.

Powderpost beetles are pests that require the expertise of a trained professional to eliminate them from properties. If you are concerned about powderpost beetles, don't hesitate to reach out to us at Haskell Termite & Pest Control, we are here to help!