Power Post Beetles

Brian Keating · 07-29-2003, 10:04 AM

Has any one ever run into these beetles? I found them in the red oak floor of my bedroom. I talked to a exterminator and he said they usually come in new wood or other things like wicker baskets. I found the source was a basket from Pottery Barn. I now have to have the damaged boards and three boards on each side of the damaged ones replaced. The exterminator wants to charge me $350 to spary the rest of the room. Does anyone know of a chemical that I could use to treat the floor myself before I have it refinished.

Charlie · 07-29-2003, 03:34 PM

The products that the pest control company uses are restricted use insecticide and can not be bought in the stores have them do it. Have him do a full inspection of the home, better yet have the manager of the company do it instead.

Charlie

Jonathan Cartwright · 08-06-2007, 12:02 PM

How long have you had that basket? What was found in the wood floor? What is the pest company going to treat in the "rest" of the room?

Powderpost beetles (lyctids and anobiids) damage the wood as larvae and typically it takes years for the larvae to grow into the stage of the beetle. The beetles do little else than lay eggs to continue their life cycle. Elimination of adult beetles could be acheived with many of the broad spectrum insecticides available. Elimination of active larvae is more difficult as they are within the wood and not readily accessible for treatment. Many pest control operators rely mostly on infested wood removal and subsequent monitoring with treatments only to eliminate adult beetles.

Powderpost beetles can re-infest nearby wood however the likelyhood of this is reduced if the wood is aged - as wood ages the starches in the wood are converted to lignin - as the wood is of less nutritional value and if the initial infestation was small you will have less re-infestation issues anyway.

Surface treatments may be effective to limit egg laying in the wood flooring however will likely have little effect on any remaining active larvae unless sufficient penetration into the wood can be guaranteed.

Also, in many cases the chemicals used by the pest control operators are available to the consumer but may be in different formulations. If your pest control guy will not guide you to possible products you can use try a different pest guy or consult with your states pest control regulating authority for sources of information.

If restricted chemicals are to be used, do some research on the web. Chemical manufacturers will provide some information regarding the uses of their products. Remember that restricted chemicals may be more toxic to non target organisms and are almost certainly more expensive.

charles · 08-06-2007, 04:32 PM

Jon are you a pest control operator?

Charlie

07-29-2003, 10:04 AM	#1
Brian Keating Administrator Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 989	Power Post Beetles Has any one ever run into these beetles? I found them in the red oak floor of my bedroom. I talked to a exterminator and he said they usually come in new wood or other things like wicker baskets. I found the source was a basket from Pottery Barn. I now have to have the damaged boards and three boards on each side of the damaged ones replaced. The exterminator wants to charge me $350 to spary the rest of the room. Does anyone know of a chemical that I could use to treat the floor myself before I have it refinished.

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07-29-2003, 03:34 PM	#2
Charlie Contractor Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 253	The products that the pest control company uses are restricted use insecticide and can not be bought in the stores have them do it. Have him do a full inspection of the home, better yet have the manager of the company do it instead. Charlie

08-06-2007, 12:02 PM	#3
Jonathan Cartwright Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1	How long have you had that basket? What was found in the wood floor? What is the pest company going to treat in the "rest" of the room? Powderpost beetles (lyctids and anobiids) damage the wood as larvae and typically it takes years for the larvae to grow into the stage of the beetle. The beetles do little else than lay eggs to continue their life cycle. Elimination of adult beetles could be acheived with many of the broad spectrum insecticides available. Elimination of active larvae is more difficult as they are within the wood and not readily accessible for treatment. Many pest control operators rely mostly on infested wood removal and subsequent monitoring with treatments only to eliminate adult beetles. Powderpost beetles can re-infest nearby wood however the likelyhood of this is reduced if the wood is aged - as wood ages the starches in the wood are converted to lignin - as the wood is of less nutritional value and if the initial infestation was small you will have less re-infestation issues anyway. Surface treatments may be effective to limit egg laying in the wood flooring however will likely have little effect on any remaining active larvae unless sufficient penetration into the wood can be guaranteed. Also, in many cases the chemicals used by the pest control operators are available to the consumer but may be in different formulations. If your pest control guy will not guide you to possible products you can use try a different pest guy or consult with your states pest control regulating authority for sources of information. If restricted chemicals are to be used, do some research on the web. Chemical manufacturers will provide some information regarding the uses of their products. Remember that restricted chemicals may be more toxic to non target organisms and are almost certainly more expensive.

08-06-2007, 04:32 PM	#4
charles Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 23	Jon are you a pest control operator? Charlie