Bostrichid Beetle is found in furniture imported from the USA for sale in the UK

Bostrichid Beetle is found in furniture imported from the USA for sale in the UK

EBS Ltd was recently asked to inspect furniture imported from the USA for sale in the UK.  It was thought that woodworm had damaged the sapwood in various items causing unsightly damage and dust on the surfaces of the items.

Our inspection of the furniture indicated that the damage was a powder post beetle, not the common furniture beetle (Anobium punctatum).  Removal of dead adult beetles from the timber indicated it to be a Bostrichid Powder Post Beetle not native to the UK.

The beetles require moisture contents above 16% to survive in wood, so in most centrally heated houses they are unlikely to persist and cause further damage.  

We tested the timber and it had a moisture content of 10%.  Therefore, no further treatment was required other than making good the damaged sapwood.  

Lyctus Brunneus powder post beetle that are native to the UK can cause considerable damage in green oak sapwood and some treatment with a boron based insecticide may be required to control them.

If you are proposing to bring imported or secondhand furniture into your home and you have suspicions about unusual boring insects, please contact us for more details and advice.