Powderpost Beetle Infestation - Ask Extension
I am not sure if you can help me but I am looking for advice on Powderpost Beetle treatment. About a month ago we remodeled our living room in our c...
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Powderpost Beetle Infestation #247565
Asked May 27, 2015, 12:15 PM EDT
I am not sure if you can help me but I am looking for advice on Powderpost Beetle treatment. About a month ago we remodeled our living room in our cottage in northern Michigan. We used some old barn beams that showed signs of infestation, but it was agreed by a wood expert that it was an old infestation. Apparently, that advice was wrong, as we now have adult PowderPost Beetles emerging from the wood and flying around the house. I have heard BoraCare is a good product to start with for getting rid of the beetles, however, I am concerned about the beetles infesting the rest of the house. We have cedar paneling and pine paneling throughout the house. One exterminator suggested tenting the house and fumigating, however, this is a huge expense. Someone else told us that tenting was extreme and unnecessary. What is your opinion on how we should handle this problem?
Leelanau County Michigan
Expert Response
The adult powder post beetles may lay eggs on the various wood materials in the house, but the possibility of establishing an on-going infestation is small IF--
a) wood materials are finished with paint or varnish coats
b) the relative humidity inside the home is under control
The survival of most species of powder post beetles requires a higher relative humidity level that keeps the percentage of moisture in wood above ideal conditions. The infestations in barns is almost always worse in the lower levels of the barn, where poor ventilation, dirt floors, etc. allow for high moisture conditions. Inside a properly constructed home with good heating and ventilation, the beetles should not be able to establish infestations in structural, decorative or furniture wood. Adults and sawdust may continue to come out of the barn beams for some time, as their life histories can be very long.
Bora-Care works well for preventing infestation- it is usually only applied to otherwise untreated (no paint, no varnish, etc.) wood. A good application might be able to kill some of the beetle larvae in an active infestation if they happen to be close enough to the surface of the wood.
I would recommend waiting this out, while making sure that the relative humidity inside the home is under control- The only times I have seen problems with powder post beetle in homes, there were significant ventilation/humidity problems.
Erwin Elsner, Michigan State University Extension
a) wood materials are finished with paint or varnish coats
b) the relative humidity inside the home is under control
The survival of most species of powder post beetles requires a higher relative humidity level that keeps the percentage of moisture in wood above ideal conditions. The infestations in barns is almost always worse in the lower levels of the barn, where poor ventilation, dirt floors, etc. allow for high moisture conditions. Inside a properly constructed home with good heating and ventilation, the beetles should not be able to establish infestations in structural, decorative or furniture wood. Adults and sawdust may continue to come out of the barn beams for some time, as their life histories can be very long.
Bora-Care works well for preventing infestation- it is usually only applied to otherwise untreated (no paint, no varnish, etc.) wood. A good application might be able to kill some of the beetle larvae in an active infestation if they happen to be close enough to the surface of the wood.
I would recommend waiting this out, while making sure that the relative humidity inside the home is under control- The only times I have seen problems with powder post beetle in homes, there were significant ventilation/humidity problems.
Erwin Elsner, Michigan State University Extension
