Wood Borers
Wood borers are in the beetle family, such as powder post or old house borers, and thrive on damp sap wood from the softer woods of pine, fir and spruce in posts, joists and beams. Evidence can either be from the frass (looks like sawdust) or from holes made by the beetles to tunnel to lay their eggs. Damage is usually in poorly ventilated damp crawl spaces, basements and attics and often from new wood not properly seasoned in lumber yards or from re-used lumber from barns or for paneling. Borates are used to treat infected wood and in some cases fumigation may be necessary. In some
brackish areas, marine borers get into piles and perhaps under boat shelters. It is important to have annual inspections to look for evidence of frass or new holes. The wood is not generally overly weakened by borers of the beetle type if caught in time.