Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 53 views

    Household & Public Health

    Uploaded by

    mdoll
    Powderpost beetles are a major cause of damage to seasoned wood structures and furniture. There are several species of powderpost beetles that damage wood in a similar manner by tunneling and feeding within the wood as larvae. This leaves the wood full of small holes and a powdery dust. As adults, the beetles emerge from infested wood to mate and lay eggs. Control of powderpost beetles requires thoroughly treating infested wood with insecticide sprays or paints to kill emerging adult beetles and prevent further infestation.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Household & Public Health

    Uploaded by

    mdoll
    53 views2 pages
    Powderpost beetles are a major cause of damage to seasoned wood structures and furniture. There are several species of powderpost beetles that damage wood in a similar manner by tunneling and feeding within the wood as larvae. This leaves the wood full of small holes and a powdery dust. As adults, the beetles emerge from infested wood to mate and lay eggs. Control of powderpost beetles requires thoroughly treating infested wood with insecticide sprays or paints to kill emerging adult beetles and prevent further infestation.

    Original Description:

    Master gardener course

    Copyright

    © Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Powderpost beetles are a major cause of damage to seasoned wood structures and furniture. There are several species of powderpost beetles that damage wood in a similar manner by tunneling and feeding within the wood as larvae. This leaves the wood full of small holes and a powdery dust. As adults, the beetles emerge from infested wood to mate and lay eggs. Control of powderpost beetles requires thoroughly treating infested wood with insecticide sprays or paints to kill emerging adult beetles and prevent further infestation.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    53 views2 pages

    Household & Public Health

    Uploaded by

    mdoll
    Powderpost beetles are a major cause of damage to seasoned wood structures and furniture. There are several species of powderpost beetles that damage wood in a similar manner by tunneling and feeding within the wood as larvae. This leaves the wood full of small holes and a powdery dust. As adults, the beetles emerge from infested wood to mate and lay eggs. Control of powderpost beetles requires thoroughly treating infested wood with insecticide sprays or paints to kill emerging adult beetles and prevent further infestation.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    E-73

    Household & Public Health


    Department of Entomology

    POWDERPOST BEETLES
    Gary W. Bennett, Extension Entomologist

    Powderpost beetles are second only to termites as


    destroyers of seasoned wood, such as that used in
    buildings and furniture. There are several kinds of
    powderpost beetles, but they all damage wood in about
    the same way and require the same control measures.
    The most common species in Indiana is the Lyctus beetle,
    ADULT
    which attacks the sapwood portion of hardwoods such as 1 to 35 days
    oak, hickory, ash, and walnut. Other species feed in Flying, mating, egg EGG
    heartwood as well as sapwood, and will also attack pines laying 1 to 4 weeks
    and the softer woods. Laid on or in
    wood
    TYPE OF DAMAGE AND WHERE IT OCCURS
    The surface of powderpost beetle-infested wood is
    perforated with numerous small “shot holes,” each about
    the size of a pencil lead or slightly larger. Any slight jarring
    PUPA
    of the wood causes a fine, flour-like powder to sift from
    1 to 4 weeks
    these holes. When cut or broken, the interior of infested Change from larva
    wood may reveal masses of this finely-packed powder. to adult occurs LARVA
    Sub-flooring, hardwood flooring, joists, sills, plates near wood surface 11/2 months to 12 years
    Feeding within wood
    and interior trim are the parts of buildings most frequently
    attacked. Other wood products like hickory furniture, The larval, or grub, stage, in which the wood-
    implement handles and ladders may also be damaged. If destroying beetles do their damage, is long in
    infestations in wood are not treated, the structural proportion to the rest of the life cycle.
    strength of the wood can eventually be seriously de-
    pleted.

    LIFE HISTORY
    Powderpost beetles are small (about 1/12 to 1/5 inch
    long) and usually reddish-brown to nearly black. They
    emerge from infested wood from late winter through early
    summer. During this time, the females lay eggs in the
    wood pores. These eggs hatch into tiny curved grubs that
    eat into the wood, packing their burrows with the finely
    pulverized wood. When fully grown, the grubs go through
    a pupal stage and once again emerge as beetles. Pow-
    derpost beetles require from a few months to several
    years to complete one generation, depending on the lyctid powderpost beetle: a, larva, b, adult
    species and the starch content of the wood. The typical life cycle of a lyctid powderpost beetle.
    PROCEDURES FOR CONTROL Most wood infesting beetles will not reinfest wood
    Permethrin, cypermethrin, and cyfluthrin are avail- that has been painted or finished in some way. However,
    able as emulsifiable concentrates (EC) that can be diluted beetle larvae in finished wood will mature and emerge as
    by mixing with water according to label directions. adult beetles, leaving the characteristic "shot holes" on
    Control powderpost beetles by spraying or painting the surface of the wood. Wooden items can be cooled to
    infested wood with one of the above mentioned insecti- 0°F for several weeks or heated to 150°F for 4 hours to kill
    cides. All surfaces being treated must be thoroughly infestations, but care must be taken not to damage the
    wetted for effective control. This type of treatment will kill wood in the freezing or heating process.
    emerging adults rather than larvae since the insecticide Many dependable and experienced pest control
    will penetrate only slightly into the wood. companies provide effective powderpost beetle control
    Care should be exercised in treating hardwood services. If the infestation is extensive in a structure or in
    floors and other finished surfaces to avoid marring the hard to treat areas, it may be necessary to fumigate.
    finish. If in doubt, treat a small, hidden area first. Professional pest control will be required for these situ-
    ations.

    READ AND FOLLOW ALL LABEL INSTRUCTIONS. THIS INCLUDES DIRECTIONS FOR USE, PRECAUTIONARY STATE-
    MENTS (HAZARDS TO HUMANS, DOMESTIC ANIMALS, AND ENDANGERED SPECIES), ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS,
    RATES OF APPLICATION, NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS, REENTRY INTERVALS, HARVEST RESTRICTIONS, STORAGE
    AND DISPOSAL, AND ANY SPECIFIC WARNINGS AND/OR PRECAUTIONS FOR SAFE HANDLING OF THE PESTICIDE.

    Revised 7/2001
    It is the policy of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, David C. Petritz, Director, that all persons shall have equal opportunity and access to the programs and facilities
    without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, or disability. Purdue University is an Affirmative Action employer.

    1-888-EXT-INFO (398-4636) http://www.agcom.purdue.edu/AgCom/Pubs/index.html

    You might also like