Wood Borer Control
Powder post beetles, popularly known as “Wood Borer” mainly belong to three families of beetles. These families are 1) Lyctidae 2) Bostrichidae 3) Anobidae. These pests with wood boring habits are viewed seriously considering their ability to reduce timber and wooden articles to mass of splinters and dust.
Powder Post Beetles are 2 to 7 mm long and light brown to almost black in colour. The life cycle of the beetled begin when the eggs are laid into the pores and cracks on wood and wooden articles. They hatch out, releasing tiny larve that bore into the wood through the bottom of the egg. The larvae live there for years feeding on the wood creating a network of intricate internal tunnel throughout the timber. Unlike termites who attack timber for cellulose, powder post beetle attack timber for high content of starch in it. The powder of frass found in the tunnels is nothing but excreta of these beetles and undigested cellulose of the wood. The adults emerge out by making tiny pin-head sized holes, commonly known as shot holes or flight holes. The adults live for about 8-10 weeks.
Usually pairing takes place immediately after emergence of adults and eggs are laid. The entire cycle takes 6 months upto a year or even upto 5 years, depending upon the species and environmental factors. New infestation takes place by migration of adults to settle down in new places. The peculiarity of this pest is that their infestation remains hidden for a long time without giving any indication of its presence in the wooden articles. It is usually noticed after completion of at least one generation when adults start emerging out through shot holes and powder star falling from them.
