[AT] OT - Powder Post Beetles

[dglass]

Perhaps you should get a second opinion.  I know some chain 
exterminators like the scare the homeowner into making a quick and 
uneducated decision.  Some will assure you that your house will fall 
down if you don't sign the contract immediately.  That's probably not 
the case, but a second price quote might not hurt either.

Cecil E Monson wrote:

>> Please excuse the off topic posts, but here is another. I had an 
>> exterminator company come out to look at the house.  In the basement 
>> the inspector found evidence of powder post beetle damage. I now 
>> believe that this damage is at least mostly old because my dad says 
>> that these pencil point sized holes in the old hand hewn beams have 
>> been there at least since 1950 when my granpa bought the house. Does 
>> anyone on the list know how I can tell if this pest is currently 
>> living in the wood? The exterminator wants $1,000 to treat the beams, 
>> but I don't want to pay if the damage is old and the bugs are no 
>> longer there.
>>
>> The inspector had me real nervous with their description of the 
>> potential damage that these bugs do, so I signed on to have this 
>> treatement done, but now I'm having second thoughts and might want to 
>> cancel....
>>
>> Any advice from folks who have had experience with this type of bug 
>> would be greatly appreciated.....
>>
>> Rob Gray
>> NE PA
>
>
>
>     As a real estate agent, I can tell you that I have run into
> these pests and how I tell if they are active or not. Active powder
> post beetles always leave fine powder under the areas where they are
> working. Those holes are just the indication they might be there but
> if you find powder on anything under the holes, yes, you definitely
> have working and active powder post beetles. Not all are active and
> the holes last seemingly forever. I've seen barns with holes that
> must have been a hundred years old but there was no activity and no
> apparent damage to the structure. What I would do is tell that
> exterminator you want to see evidence of current activity and have
> him show you new dust where they are working. If you find any dust,
> you can check this yourself by spreading an old bed sheet under the
> holes and checking for dust. It will show up quickly in active areas.
>
>     I showed a home several years ago that had active powder
> post beetles. The owner had said they had no problems with pests
> but when I inspected the house before showing, I found new powder
> post beetle dust on top of both the washer and dryer in the basement.
> Believe me, it is easy to spot and there will be no question in your
> mind as to what it is once you see it.
>
> Cecil