Answers
Nov 27, 2019 - 08:17 AM
Treatment for powder post beetles depends on many factors. The most important factor is whether the wood is painted, stained or sealed. If so, Bora Care is not an option unless the sealant is removed. Bora Care only penetrates bare wood.
Other factors include type of wood (oak, mahogany, etc.), age of wood and where the wood was located when it was stored.
Since Powder Post beetles normally do not infest already finished cabinets, (they infest bare wood sitting in storage), treatment after they are built is often difficult if not impossible to do correctly.
However, if the wood is a hardwood, it is bare and there are signs of active powder post beetles, then most certainly Bora Care is an option. Fumigation of the cabinets by a licensed fumigator is also an option.
Ron
Other factors include type of wood (oak, mahogany, etc.), age of wood and where the wood was located when it was stored.
Since Powder Post beetles normally do not infest already finished cabinets, (they infest bare wood sitting in storage), treatment after they are built is often difficult if not impossible to do correctly.
However, if the wood is a hardwood, it is bare and there are signs of active powder post beetles, then most certainly Bora Care is an option. Fumigation of the cabinets by a licensed fumigator is also an option.
Ron
Nov 29, 2019 - 02:22 AM
Powder Post Beetles go through a life cycle just like a butterfly - egg, larvae, pupae, adult.
The larvae or "woodworm" stage is the stage of life that does most of the damage. This stage only lasts a few months.
The pupae stage is the stage of life that is the one you cannot kill except through fumigation. Reason is that once the larvae forms this hard shell around its body, nothing can penetrate it except the gas through fumigation. This stage of life can exist for many years, decades in some cases.
The adult Powder Post Beetle is the stage of life that makes the tiny holes in the surface of the wood. This is not the stage to be concerned about since the chances of them surviving once they "exit" the wood is very small. Once these pupae complete the life cycle, an adult beetle emerges and exits the wood. Again, the adult beetle in most cases has only a slight chance of survival. In most cases indoors, they do not survive. The climate is too dry, etc.
Bottom line is that if you see exit holes and adults, this does not mean that there is an active infestation, including larvae. It could only indicate that the pupae are completing the life cycle and leaving the wood.
If you have had furniture for 15 years with no indication of damage or "frass", chances are very high that there are no larvae present. Treatment of existing furniture is not possible since Bora Care does not penetrate stain or paint.
My best advice is to keep an eye out for "frass" or sawdust under the furniture. If you see it, then it indicates that adults have emerged. At this point, you can make a determination if you want to keep checking it, sand all the stain or paint off and treat it with Bora Care, have it fumigated professionally (around $500) in most areas, or get out the chain saw and make some firewood.
Ron
The larvae or "woodworm" stage is the stage of life that does most of the damage. This stage only lasts a few months.
The pupae stage is the stage of life that is the one you cannot kill except through fumigation. Reason is that once the larvae forms this hard shell around its body, nothing can penetrate it except the gas through fumigation. This stage of life can exist for many years, decades in some cases.
The adult Powder Post Beetle is the stage of life that makes the tiny holes in the surface of the wood. This is not the stage to be concerned about since the chances of them surviving once they "exit" the wood is very small. Once these pupae complete the life cycle, an adult beetle emerges and exits the wood. Again, the adult beetle in most cases has only a slight chance of survival. In most cases indoors, they do not survive. The climate is too dry, etc.
Bottom line is that if you see exit holes and adults, this does not mean that there is an active infestation, including larvae. It could only indicate that the pupae are completing the life cycle and leaving the wood.
If you have had furniture for 15 years with no indication of damage or "frass", chances are very high that there are no larvae present. Treatment of existing furniture is not possible since Bora Care does not penetrate stain or paint.
My best advice is to keep an eye out for "frass" or sawdust under the furniture. If you see it, then it indicates that adults have emerged. At this point, you can make a determination if you want to keep checking it, sand all the stain or paint off and treat it with Bora Care, have it fumigated professionally (around $500) in most areas, or get out the chain saw and make some firewood.
Ron
By
This is in response to the answer posted on Nov, 27th. I just moved into a house. The inside of the drawers and cabinets are bare wood. I don't know what kind of wood it is though. The previous owners lived here for 15 years and there are no signs of beetles. I'm concerned because I had powder post beetles in my furniture at my previous residence. I got rid of those pieces of furniture and bora cared some other pieces. I don't know if I"m overly worried or not.
By
Thanks for your help Ron.
Add New Comment