Old House Borer beetles

Our service professional explained to Mr. Johnson that these beetles were a type of wood-boring insect. Old House Borer beetles are typically brown or black in color and measure about 1 to 1.5 inches in length. They have long, narrow bodies and curved antennae, which they use to detect the wood they will burrow into. They are often mistaken for other types of beetles, such as the longhorn beetle, due to their similar appearance.

The life cycle of an Old House Borer beetle begins when the female lays her eggs on the surface of the wood. The eggs hatch into small, worm-like larvae, which burrow into the wood and begin to feed on the cellulose fibers. As they grow, they create long tunnels or galleries in the wood, which can weaken its structure and cause it to become brittle. They can cause serious damage to hardwood floors and other wooden structures, and they were notoriously difficult to get rid of.

Mr. Johnson was devastated to learn that the previous company had misidentified the pest issue and the treatment they performed had not been protecting his home properly. He had always taken pride in his home and had never imagined that it could be infested with such destructive pests. But he knew that he had to take action to save his beloved hardwood floors.

Treating an Old House Borer beetle infestation can be difficult, as the larvae are often deep inside the wood and difficult to reach. The life cycle of an Old House Borer beetle begins when the female lays her eggs on the surface of the wood. The eggs hatch into small, worm-like larvae, which burrow into the wood and begin to feed on the cellulose fibers. As they grow, they create long tunnels or galleries in the wood, which can weaken its structure and cause it to become brittle.

Old House Borer beetles prefer to infest softwood species such as pine, spruce, and fir, but they can also infest hardwood species such as oak, ash, and cherry. They are most active during the warmer months, and homeowners may notice small, circular holes in their wood as a sign of an infestation. These holes are typically about 1/8 to 1/4 inch in diameter and can be accompanied by small piles of sawdust or frass, which is the debris that the larvae create as they tunnel through the wood.

Our service professional got to work, carefully examining each board of wood for signs of beetle damage. We marked each damaged board with a piece of tape, and soon the entire room was covered in little white flags. Over the next few days, our service team worked to treat the beetle galleries and carefully coated the floors in a borate salt solution that absorbs into the wood for years of protection from the beetles and other wood destroying insects.

In the end, Mr. Johnson’s hardwood floors looked as good as new. He was grateful for our correct pest identification and treatment plan and he was relieved that he had caught the infestation and called before it caused even more damage. From that day on, Mr. Johnson made sure to have his home inspected regularly for pests, so that she would never have to go through such an ordeal again.

To prevent an infestation, homeowners can take steps to reduce moisture in their homes, as Old House Borer beetles are attracted to damp wood. They can also seal cracks and crevices in the wood to prevent beetles from entering, and ensure that any firewood or other wooden materials are stored away from the home. Regular inspections by our service professionals can also help to detect and prevent infestations before they cause serious damage.