We recently bought a new ... - Ask Extension
We recently bought a new house and have noticed some small black bugs (both dead and alive). These small blackish bugs are approx 1/8 in long and mos...
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We recently bought a new ... #215041
Asked September 30, 2014, 11:27 PM EDT
We recently bought a new house and have noticed some small black bugs (both dead and alive). These small blackish bugs are approx 1/8 in long and most of them seem to be located on our hardwood floors - see picture attached. We also noted some very small holes (about the size of a pencil tip) near the baseboards on the hardwood floors. Per our internet search, this led us to think they might be the powderpost bug? However, we don't seem to have much wood dust near the holes - but we haven't been paying too close attention. Some of the holes seem like they have been there for a long time.
Let me know what type of bug you think this might be and possible action to take. Thanks.
Jake
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Existing powderpost beetle infestations are very difficult to control
because the larvae are buried inside the wood for the majority of their
lives (1 - several years). The best option is often to do nothing unless
the infested wood is very valuable. Older wood is less likely to be
re-infested by emerging beetles so the chances of new damage is less,
but not zero. The only effective treatment is whole house fumigation
which can be extremely expensive. In some cases infested wood such as
wood floors will be damaged to the point of replacement but often the
infestation just "burns itself out". Since you are not seeing sawdust the holes may be old. The picture isn't clear enough to give a positive id but it may be one of the grain beetles, if this is the case they are only looking for a home and vacuuming would take care of the problem. See
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/insect/indoor/beetles/small/ for more information.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/insect/indoor/beetles/small/ for more information.