How to get rid of Powder Post Beetles
Your home is one of, if not the greatest investments in your life, which is why you want to protect it at all costs. Mother nature, however, doesn’t always have the same plans. While insect infestations are one of the most common causes of wood damage in your household, fortunately, they can be prevented and eradicated without too much hassle.
Powderpost beetles, in particular, are renowned for the damage they can cause if left to their own devices. At Bill’s Pest and Termite, we’ve been successfully removing powderpost beetles from home for decades. So read on to learn how to get rid of powderpost beetles and keep your home pest-free.
Remove Powderpost Beetles
There are a few natural remedies to counter powderpost beetles, although they may not all be as effective as professional removal.
- Use borate salt around the area (this works best with thinner wood).
- Try essential oils like cedar or eucalyptus oil which are known for repelling insects. Do bear in mind these oils can also potentially affect the wood itself.
- Alter the temperature dramatically by moving the infested wood to an extremely cold or hot environment to kill the powderpost beetles. (Freezing small pieces of wood may also potentially work).
- Return any infested wood you have purchased and exchange it for kiln-dried pieces. Also, make sure to inspect any wood before you bring it home.
- Remove the infested wood entirely. This is the most effective and most costly option if it comes down to extracting parts of your home.
- Utilize family-safe pesticides designed to eliminate powderpost beetles. Make sure to follow all instructions and safety precautions closely.
At Bill’s Pest & Termite, we use a variety of treatments, including insecticides, traps, and spray foam treatments, to quickly and completely eliminate your beetle infestation. Unlike some DIY methods, we have a proven track record of successfully eliminating powderpost beetles and preventing them from returning.
What Do Powderpost Beetles Look Like?
Powderpost beetles are small brown insects that measure between 1/4 – 1/8 inch in length and are known for both breeding within and attacking wood. In terms of destruction, they are the second most common wood-eating pest after termites, but are less picky about the type of wood they infest – whether it is seasoned hardwood, wet soft wood, old or new wood – they will eat almost any type of timber.
This is extremely problematic given that their small size and nocturnal activity means they are generally only discovered once they have begun destroying the wood in your home. Powderpost beetles are difficult to see if you are not on the lookout for them, and they can wreak havoc on anything from joists, rafters, and fences, to furniture, and even books and paintings.
How Do I Tell If I Have Powderpost Beetles?
Due to their slow life cycles and the fact that many people aren’t even aware that powderpost beetles exist, it is almost impossible to know whether or not you have these pests until they have begun destroying the wood in your home. The most common signs of a powderpost beetle infestation are a fine sawdust-like substance (frass) found around wood in your home, small 1/16 – 1/8 inch holes in the wood, and small tunnels left behind by the adults – both the results of the powderpost beetles boring through the wood.
Get Rid of Powder Post Beetles Today!
How Do I Prevent Powerpost Beetles?
You can take several precautions and simple steps to prevent a powderpost infestation in your household:
- Sand and varnish or paint any unfinished wood pieces you may have. Powderpost beetles will not be able to find crevices in the wood you have sealed.
- Treat any wood such as fences, garden boxes, furniture, and decks with a wood protectant. Powderpost beetles generally avoid treated lumber.
- Make sure to inspect any rough-cut, reclaimed, or other wood you bring home for signs of powderpost beetle (or other pests) activity such as holes and tunnels.
- Try to select only (or request) kiln-dried lumber before bringing it home. The heating process will usually kill all stages of the powderpost beetle.
- Avoid storing wood items outdoors in sheds or barns but instead keep them in low-moisture areas.
- The best way to kill powderpost beetles is by fumigating the furniture – however, fumigation materials can only be purchased by licensed pest control operators. (This will also not protect your wood from future powderpost beetle attacks.)
How to Tell If You Have a Powderpost Beetle Infestation
If it appears as though you have a powderpost beetle infestation, then preventative measures won’t help – you need to move straight to treatments. Although it is important to get rid of them as soon as possible, you don’t have to worry too much as these pests are slow working and easy to manage.
The first step you have to take is to find out whether you have an active infestation or if the holes you see in the wood are from a prior attack.
- Begin by cleaning up any grass you find and then check back in a few days to see if there is any fresh powder on the floor. Any new debris indicates active powderpost beetles.
- Similarly, you can also seal up any holes in wood you may find and return to inspect at a later stage to see if any new tunnels have appeared.
Let us help you get rid of Powder Post Beetles and Keep them from coming back!
Professional Powderpost Beetle Removal
Unfortunately, in spite of your very best efforts, sometimes the best option is professional removal. At Bill’s Pest and Termite in Phoenix, AZ, we have 30 years of experience eradicating all types of pests.
Powderpost beetles are no exception. Allow us to give you the peace of mind you deserve and need to be certain that your home and valuables are as safe as possible. After a qualified assessment, we will be able to determine the best possible course of action required to get rid of powderpost beetles in your home.
Need help removing powderpost beetles in your Arizona home? Fill out our quote form or give us a call today!
Need more information on how to get rid of Powder Post Beetles? 602.308.4510
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