40 MISC. PUBLICATION 657, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
PROTECTING SEASONED LUMBER 
Well-seasoned lumber and other rough unmanufactured products 
in the yard, as well as finished manufactured products in storage under 
cover, are subject to attack by various powder-post beetles. Damage 
resulting from the attacks of these insects is most prevalent during 
periods of business depression, when stored materials move very 
slowly. Frequently material held for future use in large bases of 
supply, such as army and navy storage depots, is ruined. 
Present knowledge of the habits “of powder-post beetles indicates 
that attack by many y of these species is dependent on certain requisites. 
Before the wood is susceptible an adequate supply of starch or other 
food materials must be present in the wood or sapwood, or a definite 
degree of seasoning must have been reached. In attack by Lyctus 
beetles only the sapwood of hardwoods containing larger pores capa- 
ble of receiving the eggs is infested. With Xestobium, and probably 
other genera, the presence of certain fungi is essential. 
Methods of management, manufacture, and storage or utilization 
of wood products, so as to eliminate conditions favorable to these 
species will aid in preventing attack. Several of the more effective 
means of prevention and control are outlined briefly in the sections 
immediately following. For more detailed methods, see Snyder 
(388) and Christian (88, 90). 
Inspection and Treatment of Stored Stock 
Seasoning of lumber in the yard or shed can safely be carried out 
without fear of Lyctus powder-post attack for 3 to 9 months in the 
Southern States and 9 months or longer in the North. After that time 
the wood is susceptible and must be carefully watched for evidences 
of attack. Thin-dimensioned air-seasoned lumber, and all kiln-dried 
hardwood stock is subject to Lyctus attack in less than 3 to 9 months. 
Periodic inspection for the presence of boring dust is of prime im- 
portance. Stock that must be held for 1 to 3 years should be treated 
as follows to avoid Lyctus damage: 
1. Classify as far as possible all dry or seasoned hardwood stock (a) 
by species or kinds, as hickory, ash, oak; (b) by quality, as heartwood, 
pure sapwood, part sapwood; and (c) according to the number of years 
it has been seasoned. If the stock is thus classified, only the sapwood 
and part-sapwood piles need be handled and repiled in case of infesta- 
tion, thereby saving labor, time, and worry. The heartwood is not 
attacked and need not be inspected. 
2. Inspect susceptible material at least once a year and remove for 
destruction or treatment all wood showing evidence of powder-post 
attack. 3 
3. Burn all useless sapwood material and prevent the accumulation 
of refuse in which the insects can breed. 
4. Utilize or sell the oldest stock first. 
5. Where possible avoid the prejudice against heartwood material, 
which is just as strong and suitable as sapwood and is not attacked by 
Lyctus powder-post beetles. 
