Lyctid Powderpost Beetle

Category:

Actual Size: 1/16 – ¼”

Characteristics: Long and narrow, colored black or reddish-brown

Legs: 6

Antennae: Yes, short and clubbed

Wings: Yes, two pairs

Habitat: In nature they’re found in moist and dead wood. Can be brought into the home through infested wood structures such as joists, floors and paneling. May also infest finished wood furniture pieces.

Habits:

  • Larvae feeds off of the starch, sugar and protein found in sapwood
  • Adult powderpost beetles do not eat wood
  • Can reinfest the same piece of wood over the course of generations


Lyctid Powderpost Beetles in Flushing, NY

Powderpost beetles are one of the two most common wood-boring beetles in New York City and Long Island. As adults they don’t cause much trouble, but the eggs they lay are almost as damaging as termites. They’re easy to bring in through infected furniture, and to stop the spread throughout the rest of your house it’s vital to call Magic Exterminating for professional beetle treatment.

Lyctid Powderpost Beetles Habitat

Powderpost Beetles lay their eggs in the cracks and crevices of certain hardwoods, like oak, hickory, ash, mahogany and bamboo. Once the larvae hatch it’ll feed on the surrounding sapwood for anywhere from four months to four years, depending on the moisture content of the wood they’re in.

Lyctid Powderpost Beetles Behaviors, Threats or Dangers

If you’ve found small holes in the surface of your wooden material, it’s very likely that you have a powderpost beetle infestation. Powderpost beetles are not toxic and they don’t attack. However, their larvae will very easily reduce a piece of wood into literal powder. For the sake of the furniture in your home – and for your home itself – it’s best to treat a powderpost beetle infestation as soon as you notice it.