Old House Borer

Old house borers are dark brown to black in color and range from about one-half to one inch in length. These beetles have hairy bodies that may cause them to appear more gray than they actually are. They have six legs, two long antennae and three distinct eyes on each side of their head. They generally emerge in the spring and become most active in the summer months, where they mate and lay eggs inside the natural cracks and crevices found in wood.

 

These beetles prefer softer woods, such as pine, fir and spruce and are most often found in structural components of buildings, such as beams, joists, etc. They do not infest living trees or stumps but are often found in newer constructions and in some older buildings. Often, infestation occurs in the lumber construction locations, being transported to construction sites in building lumber already infested with old house borers. Larvae can spend up to 15 years developing and feeding inside the wood before ever emerging, averaging 3-6 years depending on humidity and warmth of the area. Once the beetles have emerged, they tend to reinfest wood that is near their own exit site.

 

Damage from these pests can be significant, up to the point of structural failure of the building. Old house borers are one of the most destructive wood-boring pests, creating safety hazards within homes and requiring potential high financial costs in repair.

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To learn even more about them, check out our blog post