Termites or Powderpost Beetles...?

[snoopy7548]

Before I call a professional...

I was in my (walkout) basement this morning and noticed that a vertical piece of wood, next to the exterior door, had some small holes in it, along with grooves which seemed to be filled with sawdust. I tried Googling, but it was hard finding a similar image - primarily the sawdust grooves, because these aren't on the surface, but flush with it or slightly recessed. I dug out a couple which just revealed bare untouched wood. The other face of this board is completely normal, and the board doesn't sound hollow when I tap along it.

I did not find any bugs, wings, frass, or sawdust on the floor, nor are there any bugs in the basement.

I also found similar signs on a couple of other pieces of wood in the general area, but these are along the ceiling. After pulling back the insulation, there aren't any signs of infestation on the subflooring.

The house is about nine years old and I'm the original owner and, although I don't recall seeing these before, I never really looked this closely.

BTW, I live in the Northeast.

Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[lxskllr]

I don't know much of anything, but I'd put my money on beetles. That looks exactly like the dead spruces I took down on my property. I think termites are more inconspicuous. The damage isn't seen til it gets extensive.

 

[Steltek]

Yeah, I agree - more likely powderpost beetle infestation than termites.

My opinion is that you definitely need to have an exterminator look at it. You could try to treat it yourself, but the consequences could be bad if it doesn't work.

In the long run, powderpost beetles can be just as destructive as termites. Don't judge the damage from what you can see on the outside of the wood, because the real damage is inside where you can't see it.

And, once they really get going, even your wooden furniture inside the house might not be safe.

 

[herm0016]

if there is no frass, then its likely they infested the tree and not your house. most of the construction lumber is kiln dried to kill the bugs.

 

[feralkid]

if there is no frass, then its likely they infested the tree and not your house. most of the construction lumber is kiln dried to kill the bugs.

I had to google "frass'.

Thanks, now I can be precise when showing my clients what I've found inside their woodwork.

 

[snoopy7548]

Thanks for the replies. To my untrained eye, it certainly looks like an inactive infestation as herm mentioned - the wood was likely (hopefully) infested before being milled/kiln dried.

I haven't gotten a pest control company out here yet, but I will relatively soon.