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I’m in the middle of a timber frame and I noticed an Oak timber with what turned out to be a deathwatch beetle hole. I cut out the contaminated piece and double checked all of the rest of my timbers. In about 5% of the timbers there was some signs that the beetles had been there. I’m very careful and so far no contaminated wood has gone in….
BUT! I started looking at new homes under construction and noticed that every home has some sign of beetle/bud/ ant infestation. Super high end to basic townhomes! they all show some tracks. Seldom do I have to look at more than 30 boards before I notice signs.
I noticed too that while I see boards tossed out because of warp/ wane etc. I never have seen them tossed because of bug tracks/holes. I went to the best lumber yars in town and less than 15 2×4’s later I saw the marks from a powderpost beetle.
Since it takes 180 degrees for over an hour to kill eggs and wood doesn’t get that hot in a kiln evan if there aren’t any active bugs there will be eggs! Are we doomed to failure or am I worried about nothing!
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I'm in the middle of a timber frame and I noticed an Oak timber with what turned out to be a deathwatch beetle hole. I cut out the contaminated piece and double checked all of the rest of my timbers. In about 5% of the timbers there was some signs that the beetles had been there. I'm very careful and so far no contaminated wood has gone in....
BUT! I started looking at new homes under construction and noticed that every home has some sign of beetle/bud/ ant infestation. Super high end to basic townhomes! they all show some tracks. Seldom do I have to look at more than 30 boards before I notice signs.
I noticed too that while I see boards tossed out because of warp/ wane etc. I never have seen them tossed because of bug tracks/holes. I went to the best lumber yars in town and less than 15 2x4's later I saw the marks from a powderpost beetle.
Since it takes 180 degrees for over an hour to kill eggs and wood doesn't get that hot in a kiln evan if there aren't any active bugs there will be eggs! Are we doomed to failure or am I worried about nothing!