So I was working on this mahogany when I took a break and noticed these lovely holes. I don’t remember them being here a few days ago. I put a poker in there and nothing came back. The garage is full of pine right now and the only hardwood is the turning blanks. Anyone have any idea what it is? Digging through google images and it looks like woodworm holes but cause the internet never lies I though I would ask people that know more then me. Which is very very very little. Trust me the nine year old is smarter then me and I’ll be honest more handsome to boot.

We have Carpenter bees in Virginia that can make those very nice holes. They look like Bumble bees but mostly black.

We have them in tx as well. That and mud dobbers I think they are spelled that way. I’ll wax it shut and see what happens. 

I vote carpenter bees too. I have two fence posts they always return to. You can get a spray for the holes and then plug with a 1/2inch dowel. They make a perfect 1/2 inch hole and then go sideways 

I confronted 50 carpenter bees with a tennis racket last year.   They did not play nice with my cedar patio enclosure.   Danl

In my experience the bees do not like painted wood.  Bare wood is fair game for them, even treated wood in some cases.  There are plenty of plans for building traps for them on the interweb.

Cut it in half and see what it looks like inside. I hope you don't have them in your shop, they can ruin a lot of lumber. Sometimes it happens if green lumber is brought into a shop to dry, the critters go from it into the pile of good wood.

 

@Gerald the ones here are 1/4" bees.

Herb

2 hours ago, Dadio said:

the ones here are 1/4" bees.

 

You're lucky.  Ours are 1/2" also.  If they are eating into an eave they crap all over the wall siding while they are at it.

Strange the different sizes.  The last time I stuffed a hole, I thought it was 3/8" but it may have been 1/2".  It's the perfect size.  Anyway, try a couple sizes of dowels and see if they fit.  If they do, they are most likely carpenter bees.  I place green stuff in a large trash can with the lid closed.  

10 hours ago, Dadio said:

Cut it in half and see what it looks like inside. I hope you don't have them in your shop, they can ruin a lot of lumber. Sometimes it happens if green lumber is brought into a shop to dry, the critters go from it into the pile of good wood.

 

@Gerald the ones here are 1/4" bees.

Herb

That would be it then. Had some green wood in the shop while I was waiting on the new fence to get put in. It’s install and the wood is out back now. I’ll look up some spray to kill them.

 

Thank you everyone for the help I’ll let you know how it goes in a couple of days. 

1 minute ago, Mijohnson1984 said:

I’ll look up some spray to kill them.

one of the borgs will have some.  I have used last few years for a spot in the yard.  

If you can afford some Anchor Seal, put on a coat on your green wood.  This will slow down drying and maybe eliminate cracking.  Not guaranteed to stop the cracking.  Also, put your green wood inside something to allow it to dry without being infested with bugs and bees.  

We have a winner and we were all wrong it’s powderpost beetles. The variety that does not care if it’s hard or softwood. Been clearing the shop out the past couple of days and finally found one. Already got the infested wood out and borecare arrives in the morning. Considering all the untreated lumber is in the garage it sucks but it’s a finished garage....not sure that’s going to help but at least I know where to spray now. No signs of them in the house thank god. 

Here’s a pic of the little guy....*pokes with fire* my bad

Nice detective work.  Now don't be all PC and follow rules of engagement.  Kill them all!!!  

 

If you need forgiveness or want a prayer or something afterward I am available.  

 

Bless you my son!

 

Nice I though I had cooked the garage hot enough over the weekend I guess not time to make it even hotter in here. I wonder if running two forges would do the trick.  

2 minutes ago, Mijohnson1984 said:

I wonder if running two forges would do the trick.  

Maybe, been burning a stump for a few days myself.

 

That’s no easy task wet and dense. *shivers*. And the wife was wondering why I held on too my forges.  Because somethings need to die in a firey inferno. Spiders, wood boring insects, my addiction to skittles and dc pepper, my ex.  Did I just say that.......

Somehow I always seem to be in charge of the fire thingy!!

 

 

 

Edited April 24, 20197 yr by Woodbutcherbynight

as was famously said: nuke them from orbit.