CONTROLLING 



WOOD-DESTROYING BEETLES 



IN BUILDINGS AND FURNITURE 



Lonnie H. Williams and Harmon R. Johnston 1 



Southern Forest Experiment Station 

 USDA Forest Service 



Seasoned wood is sometimes at- 

 tacked by groups of insects that are 

 commonly, though incorrectly, called 

 powder-post beetles. Many of the in- 

 sects first attack the wooden founda- 

 tions of buildings and feed on the soft- 

 wood lumber in the sills, joists, and 

 subflooring. If not controlled, they 

 may then advance into the walls. From 

 there, some are capable of infesting 

 hardwood within the building. Others 

 are restricted to hardwoods and make 



as finish flooring, paneling, furniture, 

 and tool handles. Stored lumber, 

 whether hardwood or softwood, is also 

 infested. Sapwood is attacked more 

 often than heartwood. 



Though losses are probably heaviest 

 in warm, humid climates, the insects 

 occur throughout the United States 

 and, in fact, all over the world. 



The damage is done by the larvae 

 or grubSj which tunnel in the wood 



their attacks directly on such it 



ems ifyf r . Johnston is now retired. 





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F-521293 

 Above: A hardwood ax handle ruined by beetles. Below: Infested pine board, with part of the 

 surface removed to show the tunnels and boring dust. 



2 



