Living in central Florida, you’ve probably heard of powderpost beetles. If you’ve never actually experienced an infestation from this type of insect, however, consider yourself lucky.
Powderpost beetles are well known for the damage they cause to everything from furniture to tools to the structure of your home. If you think you might be dealing with a powderpost beetle infestation, here are a few things you need to know about them.
There are actually several varieties of beetles that fall under the “powderpost” category. The one thing that each of these has in common is an elongated, cylindrical body. This shape makes the heads of these beetles more visible and distinct. Adult beetles range in size from an eighth of an inch to 1 inch, depending on the variety. Most are black, brown or even reddish.
The first sign of infestation is sawdust grouped into small piles. If you see these on any of your property, you may have a powderpost beetle infestation. These piles of dust, which have a powdery appearance, are what give the beetles their interesting moniker. Pinhead-sized holes typically accompany the powder, indicating that you have an infestation or had one in the past.
There are several methods of treating a powderpost beetle infestation. The first step is determining whether or not you have an active infestation and where adult beetles are currently feeding. A certified pest control professional like Slug-A-Bug will be able to help you determine this. Once your situation is assessed, options may include heating, freezing, fumigating, applying liquid insecticides, or simply replacing the damaged areas to remove the pests.