Forum
« Trimline window experiences? HELOC rates »
April 27, 2009
Powder Post Beetles
Has anyone dealt with powder post beetles? We just had a termite inspection for a house we're in contract with. They found powder post beetle damage in the third floor joist in our basement. There were other areas they didn't check (e.g. ceilings, parts of the floor) b/c they were "inaccessible." How bad does this sound? Thank you very much for any feedback.
Comments
Powderpost beetles damage wood slowly ; thus, homeowners should not feel as though they must act immediately in order to preserve the structural integrity of their home. A "wait and see" approach is often desirable, especially when there is still doubt as to whether the infestation is active.
Posted by: antte at April 28, 2009 6:22 AM
I'd take it a bit more seriously. The remedy is usually a specific pesticide & plastic wrap to help it permeate the wood really deeply. Google treatments - I know advice has changed since I had to deal with it.
Posted by: Arkady at April 28, 2009 9:23 AM
My only experience with powder-post beetles was from some furniture bought overseas. In that case, the damage appeared when the insects tunneled to the surface to exit. There was no subsequent infestation. That's not always true according to the links below, which you might find helpful. It's not clear to me from your post whether your inspection also found termite damage, how extensive was any of the damage they found and/or whether any damage looked like it was coming from active colonies. Overall, those would concern me more: http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef616.asp
http://www.entomology.cornell.edu/public/IthacaCampus/ExtOutreach/DiagnosticLab/Factsheets/PowderPostBeetles.html
Posted by: vinca at April 28, 2009 9:36 AM
It would actually be unusual to buy a 100+ year old house and NOT have the inspection turn up some evidence of powder post beetle damage. Its unlikely they are still there, or that they have done significant damage, but you would be foolish to close without having an exterminator in to check it out.
Posted by: wyckoff at April 28, 2009 12:51 PM
Thank you for all of the comments. Yes, the house is about 110 years old. There was no evidence of termite damage. The inspection recommended treatment of the affected area, so I'm not sure if that's as a precaution or b/c they found active colonies. I plan to give the company a call tomorrow. In the meantime, I'll take a look at the websites mentioned.
Posted by: new2home at April 28, 2009 9:15 PM
Post a comment
Please be patient while your comment is published. It may take a moment.