Death Watch Beetles
NuisanceWhat it is
Wood-boring beetles whose larvae develop in seasoned hardwoods, especially older, damp, or fungus-affected timbers. Adults may produce a tapping sound associated historically with the name 'deathwatch.'
How to recognize it
Tiny round exit holes and fine powder (frass) in old hardwood beams, and a faint tapping sound in spring.
Where you will find it
Older, damp, or fungus-affected structural timbers.
Why it matters
Larvae tunnel for years, so an active infestation can weaken old timber.
What to do
- Do not pick at, drill, or disturb damaged wood. Photograph it, and note any sawdust, mud tubes, or exit holes.
- Report leaks and damp areas, since moisture attracts many wood-destroying insects.
- Contact a licensed pest professional for an inspection to confirm what is active.
- Avoid spraying. Surface sprays do not reach nests inside wood or soil.
When to call a professional
- You see swarmers, mud tubes, sawdust piles, or round exit holes in wood.
- Wood sounds hollow or feels soft.
- You are buying or selling a home.
Related pests
Carpenter Bees
Large solitary bees that bore round nesting tunnels into unfinished or weathered wood. Males may hover defensively but cannot sting; females can sting but usually do so only when handled or threatened.
Read more →False Powder Post Beetle
A wood-boring beetle group in which larvae tunnel through seasoned wood, bamboo, or wood products. Adults typically emerge through round exit holes, leaving frass or powder near infested material.
Read more →Termites
Social, wood-eating insects that nest in the soil and tunnel into structures, often unseen for years. In the Mid-Atlantic the eastern subterranean termite is the main concern. Inspection and professional treatment...
Read more →Wharf Borer
A reddish-brown wood-boring beetle associated with damp, decaying wood, especially in waterfront, basement, crawlspace, or chronically moist structural areas. Its presence often indicates wood moisture and fungal decay.
Read more →This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Pests vary by region and situation, and an on-site inspection is the reliable way to know what you have.