About Powderpost Beetles
Powderpost beetles are one of the four wood destroying insects in Ohio. They get their name because their feeding can reduce wood to a pile of powder. Heavily infested wood will have small holes perforated throughout it. The powderpost beetles are typically a reddish brown to black and are 1/16 to 3/16 an inch long. These beetles can be hard to spot as their larvae develop inside the wood, but their presence can be determined by a visual inspection of the home. Nearly all powderpost beetle tunneling is done below the surface of wood. The larvae develop quicker in wood with greater moisture content. For this reason, among many others, it is always a good idea to make sure your house and foundation (crawl space, basement, etc.) have a relatively low humidity. Vapor barriers, ventilation, and central heat can all assist in drying wood and keeping it dry. This is an effective method of reducing the chances of a powderpost beetle infestation.
