What Are Powderpost Beetles?
“Powderpost beetle” is a term that refers to several species of beetles that tunnel through wood, damaging the structural integrity of whatever they are attacking. There are three different families of beetles that can be classified as powderpost beetles: Lyctidae, Bostrichidae, and Anobiidae. Because powderpost beetles are wood damaging insects, they are often mistaken by homeowners for termites or carpenter ants when they begin to attack a house. Without actually being able to see the beetles themselves, the best way to differentiate powderpost beetle infestations from other wood-damaging insects is to look at the damage they’ve caused. Powderpost beetles create narrow, circular tunnels in the wood they are burrowing through, leaving behind a powdery, sawdust-like material. Below, we’ll dive deeper into the three main types of powderpost beetles so that we can help you identify the insects that are damaging your home! If you have any questions about powderpost beetles or are a Massachusetts homeowner that is currently struggling with a wood-damaging insect problem, please contact our team at Absolut Pest Control for a free pest control & extermination estimate!
Lyctid Powderpost Beetles
Lyctid powderpost beetles are typically 1/16-1/4 inch long with reddish-brown bodies. Lyctid powderpost beetles most commonly target newly manufactured products with wood that is less than five years old, and infestations are often caused by wood that already contained eggs or larvae at the time the product our house was built. Lyctid beetle infestations are especially common in tropical hardwoods, as the storage and drying process for these types of woods prior to their arrival in the USA can attract the insects.
Bostrichid Powderpost Beetles
Bostrichid powderpost beetles range in size from 1/8-1/4 inch long with elongated, cylindrical bodies. While these beetles are similar in color to Lyctid powderpost beetles, they can be differentiated by their downward-facing heads and rough-textured thorax. Bostrichid powderpost beetles target both seasoned softwood and hardwood, and their damage can often be found in unfinished hardwood flooring, furniture, & other wood products with high starch and moisture content.
Anobiid Powderpost Beetles
Anobiid powderpost beetles are the most dangerous family of powderpost beetles that homeowners can face a problem with because they can seriously damage homes by tunneling through beams, joists, and other essential structural elements of houses. These beetles have similar appearances to the other powderpost beetles mentioned above, but their life cycle is significantly longer, sometimes lasting up to ten years. Anobiid powderpost beetle damage can be found in both hardwood and softwood products like subflooring, plywood, paneling, molding, flooring, and furniture.
Contact Absolut Pest Control!
If you have any questions about identifying, preventing, or treating a powderpost beetle infestation in your Massachusetts or Southern New Hampshire home, please contact our team at Absolut Pest Control! We provide various pest removal and extermination services at affordable prices throughout the region! Give us a call today at (978) 388-4589 or fill out the contact form on our website!
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