Powder Post Beetles

What do powder post beetles look like?

Adult powder post beetles range in size from 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch in length. They are reddish-brown to black and have a flattened, elongated body and antennae that end in a two-segmented club. Powder post beetle larvae are c-shaped, cream colored, and grow to be about 1/4 of an inch in length.

Where are powder post beetles found?

Powder post beetles attack hardwoods and prefer young wood. They attack manufactured items along with lumber. A home usually becomes infested with powder post beetle eggs when lumber that is already infested with them is brought inside or used in the building process. Powder post beetles are very dangerous because of the amount of structural damage that they can cause within a Quad City home or other building. Powder post beetles will invade the same piece of wood over and over again which leads to extensive and costly damages.

What do powder post beetles eat?

Powder post beetles prefer oak, hickory, walnut, maple, bamboo, and ash. They require a moisture level of 8%-32% in the wood to insure proper development.

DIY powder post beetle prevention and control tips

Powder post beetles are very damaging pests, so preventing and controlling them is very important. If you start to find their exit holes or wood shavings within your home, you should contact Quik-Kill for immediate help. The best way to prevent these pests is to make sure that wood used in your home is treated with wax, paint, or stain. Powder post beetles prefer to lay their eggs in and attack untreated wood.

Professional powder post beetle control

For help getting rid of powder post beetles and other wood-destroying insects, please contact Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators. Our licensed pest control technicians have extensive knowledge of the powder post beetles, effective treatment options, and will work closely with you to eliminate these pests from your home or business.