Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 28, 2003 08:24pm | #1

   Everything you need to know, right here:

   http://www.powderpostbeetles.com

   Man!  this is a hot topic lately.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   StanleyNiemiec | Jan 28, 2003 11:42pm | #2

   The site recommended is of questionable value.  It certainly contains incorrect information especially the citation stating that powderpost beetles eat cellulose.  "The beetle larva attack sapwood only  ... derive (sic. -ing) food from the reserve foodstuffs in the parenchyma, largely starch"  (Panshin and deZeeuw - Textbook of Wood Technology).

   Two methods are recommended to exterminate powderpost beetle infestations.  Fumigation and heat.  As a wood technologist (MS PennSt '79), I would recommend the former and therein you need to contact a professional that has capacity to do this in a sealed chamber with the proper chemicals.  It would be very difficult to "treat" a dining table with the recommended heat process (described in the USDA Forest Service Dry Kiln OPerators' Manual) and maintain constant wood EMC values.

   Someone in another thread indicated that port cities often have facilities for treating cargo with fumigants and I thought this was a brilliant observation and a realistic opportunity/methodology for handling the problem.

1. 
   sutermader | Jan 29, 2003 01:17am | #3

   Thanks for the input! These folks haven't reported seeing any adult beetles, she actually saw a worm exiting one of her dining room chairs... are we still speaking of the same pest ?!? I guess we'll see if anyone around the port of Philadelphia or NYC can fumigate the set. Thanks again

   David.

2. 
   IanDG | Jan 29, 2003 01:27am | #4

   David,

   It's likely that the infestation is of European Furniture beetle or perhaps Longhorn beetle. These live, as larvae, up to 7 years inside the timber before pupating and hatching out as beetles.
   It is most important that you prevent the adult beetles from re-infesting -- the larvae that are already in the timber are difficult to kill without ruining the furniture, because the finish will defeat fumigation and as for heat!
   I don't know what's available in US so I can't make recommendations but you are looking for something that will remain on the timber surface and in any open pores so that the female beetle is unable to lay her eggs.

   Incidentally, she's going to lay her eggs somewhere -- I saw a Kauri pine floor in Melbourne that had been eaten away by furniture beetle imported in antique furniture from Europe.

   IanDG

1. 
   StanleyNiemiec | Jan 29, 2003 02:06am | #5

   There is considerable difference between PPD and longhorn beetle (a recent import from Asia).

   Fumigation can be effective even with a finish because no finish is imporous.  If the treatment process is professionally handled, there should be little, if any, negative impact on the furniture.

   In any event a professional on-site evaluation is required and the sooner it happens the better.

   Ian is also correct that both of these treatments will provide no lasting, residual preventitive benefits.  However if the infestation is terminated before it spreads to other woodwork, it is likely that re-infestation from the original source will be a problem.

1. 
   IanDG | Jan 29, 2003 05:41am | #6

   I have yet to be convinced that fumigation can penetrate deep enough into the timber to kill the larvae.All furniture imported to Australia is fumigated but I've known many cases where beetles have hatched from previously fumigated items.BTW, I'm not talking about the Asian longhorn beetle -- that's an inch or more long, the European one most commonly found in furniture is about 1/8" long.Personally, if I found beetle in a piece of furniture I'd burn it. I've seen a room where they had spread from the furniture into the floor, baseboards and casings and the cost of repair was far higher than the value of most furniture!IanDG

1. 
   fdampier5 | Jan 29, 2003 05:51am | #7

   My solution for bug infestation was heat,  I burned any wood that had signs of bettles (except a couple of pieces where i could bore out their hole and then treat the area around it)

     I went active with a fortner bit and made great big holes chasing the tunnels.. If I didn't come to the end of the hole the timber became firewood...

     way too much work involved to attempt to save all of the wood!

1. 
   IanDG | Jan 29, 2003 09:21am | #8

   I agree, it's sad to have to burn good timber but the consequences of the little *** getting into the structure of the house are too serious to risk.FYI, in UK, ALL timber in a new house has to be treated against beetle and all cut ends are supposed to be dipped before fixing.IanDG