Beetles in the House...Or:What Are Those Tiny Piles of Wood Dust?

摘要

The other day I was driving through town and passed one of the houses that I looked at when contemplating purchasing my first home. It reminded me that every once in a while it is handy to have knowledge of the insects that eat wood. The place was oldbut well kept, perfect size for a small family, affordable, and walking distance from shopping. I was sold... until I went downstairs. I immediately walked out and crossed it off the list. What I found in the basement was that the old floor joists, theylooked like maple, hada million little holes in them (2 to 3 mm) and there were little piles of fine wood dust everywhere. Powderpost beetles. It would only be a matter of time before the structural integrity of the home would be compromised.