Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 18, 2009 05:57pm | #1

   Could be powder post beetles.  Somewhere ages ago I read an article that showed the different holes bugs make and how that helps ID the bug.  I think that termites leave oval holes, powder post beetles leave tiny round holes.  If you Google with this in mind, you might find a similar article. 

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
2. 
   Jimurock | Oct 18, 2009 07:08pm | #2

   Here's a portal to a number of sites about a number of woodchompers.  Tells you more than you want to know, such as how to tell one pile of crap from another.  Yech. http://www.doityourselftermitecontrol.com/termitesitemap.htm

   Jim

3. 
   fxston | Oct 19, 2009 09:37am | #3

   A small round hole like an icepick would make indicates powder post beetles. Termites live in their own environment and build mud tunnels up the side of a foundation into the wood frame and carry wood product back to the nest. Unless the termites have access to wood buried in the ground they will gain access via mud tunnels. Treatment is toxic chemical barrier that turns them toward the neighbors house.

   I got both termites and powder post beetles in a big house and had to tent the whole house and pump gas into the house for 24 hours. It required a guard on the house to prevent pets or kids from going inside. The treatment cost many thousands of dollars. Source: I had some firewood stored in the basement. Normally kiln dried lumber is safe from powder post beetles but not always. Inspect lumber for infestation before storing wood in a house or workshop. I worry about powder post beetle more than termites.

1. 
   larry101 | Oct 19, 2009 03:55pm | #4

   Since I made the post I did some investigation.  By slicing off thin peices of wood I found a dead adult.  It is definitely a powder post beetle.  Everthing I read indicated not to use the wood because the larvae holes can be very small within the wood.  The round bore holes are actually the adults coming out of the wood.  I now have some really nice fire wood.

   There is a leason here.  Being new to wood working and especially buying roough sawn wood I thought that the damage to the edges of the boards was just some rot and given the bargain price was worth the scrap.

   Everyone that wants to buy rough sawn wood should do some research to know what to look for in a board.

   I am extremely disappointed in the "OLD Woodworker" that wanted to get rid of some wood selling this stuff knowing damn well that those little black holes in the boards was some kind of boring insect and probably should not be brought into someones house. 

   Thanks Buddy

    

   Humble Newbie

1. 
   MrSQL | Oct 20, 2009 07:52pm | #5

   In my experience the powder post beetles will only be in the sapwood of the cherry (I guess it has more sugar or whatever they are looking for).  So if you are working mostly with heartwood, then it might not be such a problem.  Also, once the beetle comes out [while he is boring around he is a larva], he won't go back in to lay eggs if the wood is smooth and  finished.  I've had some projects that have had the beetle come out (as evidenced by the powder).  To me it's dissapointing but no big deal. 

2. 
   ring | Oct 21, 2009 07:06pm | #7

   Larry,If the beetle holes are confined to the sapwood, as is often the case, you can save a good portion of the wood by cutting off all the infested areas. Be methodical and don't leave any material with holes. Burn what you cut off, and make the best of what's left.David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?lang=e&id=1

4. 
   oldhand | Oct 21, 2009 03:42am | #6

   A second for what MrSQL said.

   .