The Powderpost Beetle gains its name from the finely chewed particles it produces while burrowing through wood. The remains will be so fine they will resemble a white powder similar to flour, and this is normally the only indication that the homeowner will receive to identify the species since the majority Tiny Bugs On Walls And Ceiling of its lifespan is spent within hardwoods and digging its way towards the surface. Not long after emerging from its one to four year journey from within your home the Powderpost Beetle will die of natural causes, leaving only a small pinhole and some fine dust to announce that it had ever existed at all.
This species is unlikely to receive sympathy from humans though, because from birth their only goal in life is to destroy wood. Their lifecycle begins as a small larva that was abandoned before birth. There was no food left for them and no sibling to show them the ropes, but luckily for the Powderpost Beetle they were born within a wooden structure of some type and that is all they truly need to survive. The larvae will begin to burrow into the wood digging through tiny bits at a time, and all the while the rest of the world has absolutely no idea that it even exists at all. As they progress through their painstaking dig the beetle will continue to grow and eventually reach adulthood, and shortly thereafter it will emerge from its wooden home and face the environment for the first time. It will then lay eggs either on top of the wooden structure or deep within it; and not too long after a new generation will begin the entire pattern.
An interesting note is that Powderpost Beetles will only burrow into untreated wood, and any type of paint, stain, varnish, or sealant will effectively be left untouched. However, if that piece of lumber was not properly stored while drying out it could possibly already have the species inside of it. Once the adult beetle emerges it will not lay eggs on a treated surface but it will instead place eggs back inside the wood before departing. The most common Powderpost Beetle infestations occur when purchasing furniture that contains the species inside of it or within lumber purchased to construct the home itself. The only reliable way to detect their presence is to inspect the wood and notice the burrowed circular holes, then to inspect the powdery remains to see if the species is active inside it.
A number of pesticides are available to control the Powderpost Beetle, but the best prevention is to thoroughly inspect any wood materials before introducing them to your home. It is also interesting to know that this species vastly prefers hardwoods so softer cuts wood such as Pine and Douglas-Fir are normally not colonized. This species often dies off due to natural causes so before investing money replacing What Insect Leaves Black Dots On Skin boards or spraying dangerous chemicals it is important to verify that the colony is still active. The only way to do this is to study the powder from within the hole; if it is dried or has other debris on it then the beetles are already gone. A professional can help you better determine if Powderpost Beetles are present within your home, and also offer multiple ways to eliminate the species.
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