T. McIntyre

“ In quiet surroundings you may hear a rasping or ticking sound that is made by tunneling larvae. This is the best way to detect larvae of the old house borer. Their ticking is sometimes audible several feet from where they are working. ”

“ The old house borer and other beetles that do not make entrance holes in the surface of the wood can also be controlled by surface applications of these chemicals. Larger quantities must be used, however, especially where thicker wood is concerned, such as floor joists, studs, and roof rafters. For such materials, at least 1.5 pints of the insecticide per cubic foot of wood is needed to reach the beetle larvae. ”

“ The females lay eggs on or in wood that satisfies their egg-laying requirements and the food requirements of the larvae. These requirements differ among the species. Hence different kinds of wood are infested by different species of beetles. ”

“ Tunneling is done by the larvae of all kinds of powder-post beetles, and by adult bostrichids and cossonid weevils. The larvae of anobiid beetles leave elongate pellets of excreted wood in their tunnels. Other larvae leave powderlike borings. Severely damaged wood becomes a crumbly mass of pellets or of borings, and sometimes has a honeycombed appearance.
Since the insects do most of their tunneling in sapwood, structural damage is rare in large timbers.
Surface holes mar the appearance of wood. Those most commonly seen are made by adult beetles when they emerge from the wood. ”

“ Adult of the old house borer.
Adult of the red-shouldered shothole borer, a bostrichid beetle.
Cover: Adult of an anobiid beetle, Xyletinus peltatus, and pine sill damaged by larvae of this beetle.
The adults of many kinds of powder-post beetles bore circular holes to the surface of the wood and emerge; others make oval holes. Some emerge in early spring; others, including the old house borer, emerge in early summer. Mating and egg laying follow. ”

“ Pressure.—In spraying, use only enough pressure to wet the surface of the wood. Too much pressure may cause spray to splash onto the body. If you apply the insecticide in an enclosed place, make sure that the air can circulate freely. ”

“ If you have a severe infestation, or one that is behind paneled or plastered walls, or in some other hard-to-reach place, it may be that only an experienced pest-control operator with the proper equipment can do a satisfactory job. ”

“ Guarding against explosions.—Apply a coarse spray. It is effective and safe to use. A concentrated fine mist is ineffective and may explode in the presence of a spark or flame. Do not smoke while spraying. ”

“ Do not let them come in contact with the body. When applying them, wear rubber gloves, a cellulose acetate type of face-guard, and a rubber or leather apron. When spraying an overhead area, do not stand directly under it. ”