Old Home Borers - Ask Extension
We believe we have old home borers in Antrim County. How do we treat for them?
Knowledgebase
Old Home Borers #926239
Asked March 18, 2026, 1:41 PM EDT
We believe we have old home borers in Antrim County. How do we treat for them?
Antrim County Michigan
Expert Response
Michigan is at the edge for the range of this species, and it sometimes shows up. The adults don't like sanded or varnished wood. If you've seen emergence holes and larvae and this is inside your home, you unfortunately lack good options for control. Once within a home, only fumigation from a pest control professional will address the issue.
There are other insects that can also feed on wood such as carpenter ants, and I would encourage you to submit photos of the affected space to verify it is in fact the old house borer and not a different wood-boring insect.
For more information: https://extension.psu.edu/old-house-borer
There are other insects that can also feed on wood such as carpenter ants, and I would encourage you to submit photos of the affected space to verify it is in fact the old house borer and not a different wood-boring insect.
For more information: https://extension.psu.edu/old-house-borer
