Powder post beetle

[Mhj108]

Bought a flagstaff travel trailer 3/14 and noticed yellow powder on ledges of cabinets. Did some research to find out that it was powder post beetles and they were in the paneling when we bought it from the dealer. Dealer says they had never heard of it and forest river says if it was their problem someone else would have reported it by now. Please if anyone has a forest river cherry wood interior camper let me know. We can't be the only one with these beetles.

[SaundraHale]

Nice informative discussion.

[myredracer]

Here is some info. from Univ. of Kentucky on Power Post beetles. and it says "In almost all cases, infestation results from wood that contained eggs or larvae at the time it was placed in the home. This is significant because responsibility for damage/replacement often resides with the builder, cabinet maker or furniture manufacturer rather than the homeowner. Typically, the infested article was constructed from wood which was improperly dried or stored. "

[Tom_Barb]

tpi wrote:
I know this doesn't help in the OP's location. But I often wondered what a month of outdoor storage in the lower southwest deserts would do for pests like these, termites, or bedbugs. What I read, the beetles are killed by 4 hours at 130 degrees. This is similar to the other pests. I've seen alternative curves for longer time at lower temps. You would think a couple of weeks of the RV getting to 120 plus in the desert sun would kill off a lot. RVs don't have the thermal mass of a house and don't have a foundation for sub termites to exist. Even not in the desert, (I live in OC), I've seen mine for hours over 100 degrees inside at times-if I haven't ventilated.

Temps in these lower desert areas can be 115 plus for days on end. Interior temps can and do go higher even in RVs

That won't do much for the damage already done.

I think I'd do the 1 and 1 treatment, then call the insurance company, and the fire company.

1 and 1 treatment = 1 qt of gas and 1 match.

[tpi]

I know this doesn't help in the OP's location. But I often wondered what a month of outdoor storage in the lower southwest deserts would do for pests like these, termites, or bedbugs. What I read, the beetles are killed by 4 hours at 130 degrees. This is similar to the other pests. I've seen alternative curves for longer time at lower temps. You would think a couple of weeks of the RV getting to 120 plus in the desert sun would kill off a lot. RVs don't have the thermal mass of a house and don't have a foundation for sub termites to exist. Even not in the desert, (I live in OC), I've seen mine for hours over 100 degrees inside at times-if I haven't ventilated.

Temps in these lower desert areas can be 115 plus for days on end. Interior temps can and do go higher even in RVs

[d3500ram]

:B

[dewey02]

Durhamcutter wrote:
We know a little about Powder Post Beatles, we had 26ft of new cabinets put in our Kitchen and found out that they were loaded with Beatles, at first no one knew what they were, had to go to LSU to find out. First of all they can live for 50 years in the wood and not come out,this is what you see in antique furniture that looks like worm holes,you cannot kill all of them because you cannot get to the beatles in the wood. The wood is brought in to the US from other country's and they don't process the wood the same as required by the US , they are suppose to heat the wood when they get ready to ship to 190 degrees, if they do it will kill the Beatle but is not required to be shipped and used in the US. It cost me 8000. dollars to treat my house and they still didn't guarantee that they would be able to kill all of the beatles. THEY WILL EAT EVERYTHING UP THAT HAS WOOD CONECTED TO IT AND THERE IS ALMOST NO RECOURCE . Hope you come to some solution , will look to see what you decide to do. Happy Camping

I really don't understand what the problem here is, Durhamcutter.
My wife and I would be overjoyed if we had these guys that you consistently referred to, popping in to our travel trailer. Those other beetles...not so much.

[Sport45]

Maybe an insurance claim is in order.

[FunnyCamper]

after 2 years I would think the dealer is out....maybe you have to fight the cabinet maker company??? feel for you tho. nothing like this is ever a good thing 🙂

[southernsky]

I had them in my garage. Exterminator did what they called a "Wet Spray". They wore rain gear and soaked all wood in my garage. If you have them in your trailer return it to the dealer or get a lawyer.

[Tom_Barb]

I had never heard of them either.
Power Post Beetle

tell your dealer you want another trailer.

[Durhamcutter]

We know a little about Powder Post Beatles, we had 26ft of new cabinets put in our Kitchen and found out that they were loaded with Beatles, at first no one knew what they were, had to go to LSU to find out. First of all they can live for 50 years in the wood and not come out,this is what you see in antique furniture that looks like worm holes,you cannot kill all of them because you cannot get to the beatles in the wood. The wood is brought in to the US from other country's and they don't process the wood the same as required by the US , they are suppose to heat the wood when they get ready to ship to 190 degrees, if they do it will kill the Beatle but is not required to be shipped and used in the US. It cost me 8000. dollars to treat my house and they still didn't guarantee that they would be able to kill all of the beatles. THEY WILL EAT EVERYTHING UP THAT HAS WOOD CONECTED TO IT AND THERE IS ALMOST NO RECOURCE . Hope you come to some solution , will look to see what you decide to do. Happy Camping