5 replies to this topic

[wcpa]

Last week, I pulled out a piece of Ash from the stacks in my basement. It was from a bunch of Ash given to me from friend who had found them left in the garage when they bought a new house.

I never really examined the boards closely and now think I'm seeing fresh bug damage (surface holes) on the boards.

Wondering if I should be panicked. Is this likely to spread to the rest of my wood? What about to the framing of the house? Do I need to start fogging my workshop right away? Spot treat the boards?

Thoughts?

[MikeM]

What region are you from? This could be the ash borer if your in the midwest. Is this air dried lumber or kiln dried. If it was Ash from a downed tree, it could very well be infested with ash borer.

[wcpa]

I'm outside Philadelphia. I doubt its ash borer as the wood seems like it had been sitting in the garage for quite awhile, layers of dust on it, etc.

[preeng2]

It might be Powderpost Beetles.
http://entoplp.oksta.../powderpost.htm

[Dozer's Workshop]

That kind of damage really bugs me....

Sorry, had to.

So, what signs are you seeing that are making you think the infestation is active?

[wcpa]

There are a lot more surface holes than I remember, and in one spot there was a pile of sawdust--which could have been from me cutting something, but I don't think so.

I'm worried less about the type of bug and more about whether they are a significant threat to spread.

ETA: Having read the powderpost beetle link, it seems that's pretty likely given the size of holes, the sawdust pile and that it's ash. Thanks preeng2