Question: I am thinking about buying a home that has an active powderpost beetle infestation. What kind of concerns should I have about this type of pest?.
Answer: The term “powderpost beetle” may refer to several different kinds of wood-infesting beetles. That word can be used for two types of beetles: 1) species that only eat hardwoods, like those that attack flooring, trim, or even ornamental pieces; and 2) species that eat softwoods, like those that attack wall framing and support joists.
The damage produced by these beetles may be small round holes (about the size of pencil lead). The first sign of an infestation is usually a small amount of powder, called frass. The frass appears in or around a piece of wood that has been attacked by the beetle larvae.
How the frass looks can help you figure out what kind of beetle has been working in the wood. If the powder feels a little rough when you rub it between your fingers, that means anobiid beetles have worked their way into it. If the frass is soft and not gritty, then it is a sign of lyctid beetle activity.
LYCTID POWDERPOST BEETLES (Family Lyctidae). This tiny (1/8-inch) insect can do damage to many things in the house, like kitchen cabinets, baseboard trim, hardwood floors, and even picture frames and other decorative wood pieces. They infest only hardwoods, and generally infest only new wood, usually less than five years old. They can reinfest the wood. The life cycle takes 1-2 years.
ANOBIID POWDERPOST BEETLES (Family Anobiidae). This tiny (1/8-inch) insect can do damage to floor joists in crawl spaces, and it can also do damage to attic joists and wall studs. They infest primarily softwood, but will also attack hardwoods. Their life cycle is 1-2 years, and they will continually reinfest structural wood, sometimes causing structural damage.
Control of these beetles begins with first determining that there is an active infestation. The holes and the powder that falls out of them may have been there for a long time, but that doesn’t mean there are beetles living in the wood right now. If the infestation is active, there will be recent holes or the sound of feeding may be heard.
The treatment will depend on the severity of the infestation. The simplest treatment is to remove and replace the infested wood. You could also apply a liquid insecticide to the infested wood’s surface or inject the liquid into the feeding galleries.
Pieces of furniture can be fumigated in a special vault or chamber. Tenting and fumigation of the entire structure is usually reserved for severe infestations. To get rid of an insect, you need to kill it when it is a larva or an adult when it comes out of the wood.
It might be a good idea to call us. We will arrange to have an Inspector meet you at the house. You can tell what kind of beetle has been active and if the infestation is still going on by calling Orkin. They will discuss a customized treatment plan backed by science that best fits your needs.
What do powderbore beetles look like? Are they harmful to your health? Do they infest food? If so, how do you know? How do you treat them, and how much does it cost?
Question: I have a bookshelf constructed of antique wood. I am finding small pinholes with sawdust. Could you tell me what it could be?.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Powder Post Beetle Damage? What You Need to Know
Powder post beetles are sneaky little critters that can cause major damage to homes. These tiny wood-boring insects spend months or even years silently munching away inside wooden structural elements, severely compromising their strength Eventually all that’s left is a crumbling framework riddled with holes
Understandably homeowners want to know if their insurance provides protection against powder post beetle destruction. Can you make a claim to repair the damage? Will the costs be covered? Unfortunately, the answer is usually no.
Standard homeowners insurance policies explicitly exclude insect damage, meaning claims for powder post beetles are routinely denied. But the coverage can sometimes be unclear when it comes to structural collapses caused by hidden beetle damage. Let’s take a closer look at what is and isn’t covered for these common pests:
What Are Powder Post Beetles?
Powder post beetles are a variety of small, reddish-brown to black wood boring insects. There are several different species, but the most problematic in the U.S. is the anobiid powder post beetle.
In their adult form, these beetles are only about 1/8 to 1/4 inches long. But don’t let their tiny size fool you. The larvae of powder post beetles can cause extensive damage as they feed on wood fibers.
Powder post beetles are especially attracted to softwoods like pine, fir and cedar. However, they will also infest hardwoods including oak, maple, cherry and walnut. Beech, chestnut and bamboo are other favorite targets.
The female beetle lays her eggs directly inside the tiny cracks and pores of wood materials. After hatching, the larvae spend 1 to 5 years tunneling through and feeding on the wood, creating extensive galleries and passageways.
Eventually they emerge from the wood as adult beetles through pin-sized holes, leaving behind a light-colored powdery frass. The beetles then mate and lay eggs to start the destructive cycle all over again.
Why Powder Post Beetle Damage Isn’t Covered
The vast majority of homeowners insurance policies explicitly exclude any damage caused by insects, vermin or rodents. This applies to powder post beetles as much as termites, carpenter ants, mice and any other pest.
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), damage from insects and vermin is excluded because insurance companies consider infestations preventable through routine home maintenance and care. In other words, it’s the homeowner’s responsibility to take steps to prevent beetle and other pest damage.
Unfortunately, this means if powder post beetles infest and damage your home’s floors, walls, support beams or other structural elements, repairs won’t be covered. The exclusion applies whether it’s the frame of your house, your beloved antique furniture, or the beams on your back deck.
Any costs for professional extermination and eradication of the beetles are also excluded. Most homeowners insurance providers take this stance, so it’s difficult to find a policy that covers powder post beetles.
When Structural Collapse Coverage May Apply
Now, while the damage caused directly by powder post beetles is excluded, what about a resulting catastrophic structural collapse? This is where things get a bit murkier.
Some homeowners policies provide limited coverage for collapse. This means if hidden beetle damage you didn’t know about compromises a load-bearing wall or floor to the point of collapse, repairs may be covered.
However, it depends on your specific policy language. Coverage is often only for sudden, catastrophic collapses – not gradual weakening or settling. And only specific causes like hidden decay or insect damage are included. Collapses from overt neglect or poor maintenance are excluded.
The crucial point is that only the resulting collapse damage itself would potentially be covered. The prior hidden beetle destruction and infestation leading up to the collapse is still excluded.
It’s best to review your policy carefully and talk to your agent about the nuances. But don’t expect a collapse claim from beetle damage to be approved automatically. Insurers frequently dispute these gray areas.
Preventing Powder Post Beetle Infestations
Since coverage is limited at best, prevention is your first line of defense against destructive powder post beetles. Here are some tips for protecting your home:
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Use beetle-resistant woods like redwood, cypress or treated pine for structures, furniture and wood elements
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Seal cracks, crevices and openings so beetles can’t enter
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Ensure firewood is properly stored away from the home
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Fix moisture issues like leaks that attract beetles
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Install windows and doors with tight seals
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Inspect regularly for early signs like tiny holes or powdery frass
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Have a pest control expert apply preventative treatments
With diligent prevention and monitoring, you can help keep your home free of wood-boring beetles. An ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure when it comes to avoiding thousands in damage repairs down the road.
What To Do About an Infestation
If you do suspect or confirm active powder post beetles, immediate treatment is crucial before structural damage sets in. Here are your options:
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Apply borate insecticides in treatment holes drilled into infested wood
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Use fumigation techniques in severe cases
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Replace damaged beams, joists and other structural wood elements
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Consult a structural engineer to assess critical structural weaknesses
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Work with a pest control professional to stop the infestation and prevent recurrence
Addressing an infestation before it compromises the integrity of your home’s structure can help minimize damage. Just make sure to take preventative steps afterwards to avoid welcoming the beetles back.
The Bottom Line
While powder post beetle damage itself is excluded by most homeowners insurance policies, limited structural collapse coverage may help recover repair costs if infested wood fails. But preventing beetle infestations in the first place through vigilant monitoring and maintenance is your best protection.
With their voracious appetite for wood and ability to cause major structural damage, powder post beetles are definitely pests you want to keep outside your home’s walls. Taking preventative measures and addressing early signs can help safeguard your most valuable asset.
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Powder Post Beetle Damage and Treatments
FAQ
How much does it cost to treat powder post beetles?
What is the evidence of powder post beetles?
How much damage can powder post beetles do?
How to treat a house for powder post beetles?
Can a powderpost beetle damage your home?
Powderpost beetle damage can be extensive, second only to termites’ ability to destroy the wood in your home or furniture. They are capable of re-entering dry, seasoned wood year after year, slowly chipping away at the overall integrity of the interior structure of your home without your knowledge.
What is a powderpost beetle?
Powderpost beetles are often brought into homes inside some sort of wood material, including building materials, wood furniture, or firewood. The name “powderpost beetle” comes from the powder (aka frass) these insects leave behind—this actually their larvae that cause the most damage.
Are wood-boring powderpost beetles causing structural damage?
While termites might be the first pest you think of when you suspect structural damage to a home, they aren’t the only ones. Wood-boring powderpost beetles can leave a wave of destruction in their path, wreaking havoc on wooden beams, posts, flooring, and more.
How do I know if my furniture has powder post beetles?
It’s unusual to see surface damage and exposed insect galleries in the summer wood of the furniture like that in your photo. Usually all that we see of powder post beetles damage or a small holes in the surface of the wood. It’d be useful to see a sharp photo of your powder post beetle as they’re usually pretty shy about having their picture taken.