Wood Boring Insect - Ask Extension
I have found an interesting insect that has been boring holes in a picture frame in my office here in College Park. They are very tin...
Knowledgebase
Wood Boring Insect #306450
Asked March 11, 2016, 1:21 PM EST
I have found an interesting insect that has been boring holes in a picture frame in my office here in College Park. They are very tiny (~ 3.5mm in length) and make many pin hole size bore into the frame on both sides. I am not sure if I should be concerned, but have never seen such a critter and thought I would send it your way to see if you can identify the beast! Thanks for any help you may give.
P.S. I do not know what type of wood the frame is made from BUT interestingly enough I have a second frame of the exact type located a few feet from subject frame with no indication of infestation.
I have a picture - but it is of rather poor quality and I am attempting to capture a specimen without destroying it. They are vry fragile!
Prince George's County Maryland
Expert Response
I'm afraid that the quality of this picture is too poor to make an identification. Please resubmit a crisp, clear photo or submit a sample to your local Extension office.
These guys are too small for me to capture a good photo and are VERY delicate, BUT I have been able to "trap" three of them on a piece of scotch tape and would like to send them to you. What is the best way to preserve the specimens and what is your address? THANKS!!
Put them in a vial or pill bottle with rubbing alcohol covering them.
Take them to your local Prince George's County Maryland Extension office located at
Take them to your local Prince George's County Maryland Extension office located at
6707 Groveton Drive
Clinton, MD 20735
Hours: 8:00am-4:30pm
and have the Horticulture Agent take a look at them first.
Is it ok if I mail them? It's kind of a long ride to get all the way down there. Thanks!
Contact the Prince George's County Maryland Extension office at<personal data hidden> to ask if they accept mail-in samples.
Powder post beetles!! Thanks!
Awesome. See this Clemson University Department of Entomology, Soils, and Plant Sciences fact sheet on Powderpost beetles for information on the beetles: http://www.clemson.edu/cafls/departments/esps/factsheets/household_structural/controlling_wood_borin...
Did you get a management recommendation? If the frame is small enough, I recommend putting it in the freezer as per Clemson's fact sheet, "Freezing temperatures can kill wood-boring beetles, especially in small furniture. If you have access to a large freezer, you might want to consider this control option. Wood subjected to freezing should be wrapped in plastic. Freeze the item for about two weeks. After removing it from the freezer, leave the item wrapped until it reaches room temperature. This protects the wood from water marks due to condensation as the item warms. Also, handle the item carefully since glue joints are very fragile when frozen."
Did you get a management recommendation? If the frame is small enough, I recommend putting it in the freezer as per Clemson's fact sheet, "Freezing temperatures can kill wood-boring beetles, especially in small furniture. If you have access to a large freezer, you might want to consider this control option. Wood subjected to freezing should be wrapped in plastic. Freeze the item for about two weeks. After removing it from the freezer, leave the item wrapped until it reaches room temperature. This protects the wood from water marks due to condensation as the item warms. Also, handle the item carefully since glue joints are very fragile when frozen."
