Physical Characteristics

Powderpost beetles are 1/8 to 1/4 inches long. Their bodies are narrow oval or capsule-like in shape, and are dark brown or reddish brown in color. Powderpost beetle larvae are cream-colored C-shaped grubs with brown heads and light brown oval spots on the sides of their bodies.

Beetle_Powderpost

Powderpost Beetle

Behavior

Next to termites, powderpost beetles are the biggest destroyers of timber wood. Their name describes what they do: turn wood into powder, specifically hardwoods with a high sap content. The culprit is the larvae of the species, which feed on the starches in the wood.

Treatment:

The powderpost beetle, in its larval stage, is a wood-destroying organism. If you find evidence of activity – live larvae or adult beetles, fresh exit holes in wood, or new frass (powdered wood mixed with fecal material) – your best move is to call the WDO experts at Clark Pest Control, who can advise you what measures need to be taken to control powderpost beetle activity.



Latin name: Lyctus brunneus