Replies

1. 
   ring | Dec 13, 2005 09:57pm | #1

   Probably powder post beetles.  They are bad news.  You can do a Google search and get lots of info, but bottom line is they have to go, and quickly.  Either chemicals, or burn the infected wood.

   DR

1. 
   John_D | Dec 13, 2005 10:12pm | #2

   Has anyone ever tried microwaving a small piece to kill bugs?My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.

1. 
   hitai | Jan 04, 2006 10:47am | #5

   we freeze them....... Just throw the block in the freezer.   

   I kNOW  microwave has no effect on ants....

1. 
   arkriver | Jan 04, 2006 07:52pm | #6

   In my firewood cutting days, I have inadvertantly brought fire woood into the house that had ants -- not fun. The wood had been frozen outside so I am a little doubtful you can freeze it and get rid of the ants.

2. 
   John_D | Jan 05, 2006 10:19am | #7

   It's hard to believe microwaves have no effect, as turning the water they contain to steam must affect them.  Whether you could get enough energy into them inside wood, I have no idea.

   SSAAYY... you're not a giant, typing ant-man hiding amongst us, are you?!?

   PS Sorry, must be the meds. ;-)My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.

1. 
   hitai | Jan 06, 2006 07:27am | #9

   Hmmmmm,,,, giant ant-man  or perhaps an entire colony of once-regular ants but now after exposure to powerful gamma radiation able to organize itself into a walking, talking, internet-saavy,  conglomerate creature finally able to address the problem of curious humans wondering if indeed ants survive microwaving????/

    

   Come on now,,, how many of you went out , found some ants and tried this.... with or without meds.....  ????

   My excuse is that I'm in Hawaii and everything has bugs on it at one time or another.  It is weird to see popcorn popping and ants just walking around.....

   The freezing thing will work on several types of borers,,,  not on ants.  It's easy to try and non toxic.....  if it does not work you can still burn the wood....

    

   What meds???/   should you be around power tools???? 

    

    

    

    

2. 
   John_D | Jan 06, 2006 10:35pm | #10

   Hah, I'm on meds because of the power tools!My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.

2. 
   sawdustandshavings | Dec 13, 2005 11:45pm | #3

   Thank you all very much for your replies, I have now thrown the wood away and will remain on the look out for these little critters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   Thanks again,

   Sawdust.'It's not a mistake It's a design feature'

2. 
   cmyk45 | Dec 14, 2005 05:33am | #4

   I had these critters in some cherry the summer before last. I read a post on another forum. Based on that I took my infected wood outside and pressure sprayed the lot with a mixture of 20 mule team borax and water, let it dry, rinsed it, let it dry and restacked it. I have seen any little piles of sawdust since then. I can't promise this will work but it seems to have done the trick for me.

3. 
   mikegagne | Jan 05, 2006 10:29am | #8

   They are probably wondering what YOU are doing in their wood. Powder post beetles are hardly the worst things to happen to wood and are easily controlled. We breathe a sigh of relief in Hawaii when "its only powder post beetles". Borate gets em as does any number of other mild poisons even diatomaceaous earth. They come to the surface every morning to push out their waste (the white powder you see next to their hole) which is the perfect point to interfere with their lifestyle. Keep using the wood you both share and convince them to move out when you get the chance-they're easy. aloha, mike