Pests in firewood?

Question: I was wondering if you could help me solve a mystery please. My parents burn oak wood in their house as a source of heat, and this year's wood has an unusual appearance.  I have been concerned that it was a potential wood eating insect after inspecting the wood in their basement and looking at pictures on the Internet.  I am nervous that it will spread to the structural wood of the house. I found an article on the university of Minnesota website, talking about the difference between nuisance wood borers, and harmful. 
        If you could help me identify the culprit or send me in the right direction I would be most grateful. I will attach pictures of the wood.  The pictures are of oak that came from the Lanesboro Minnesota area.  Thank you in advance!

                 Sincerely,    Steven

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied October 28, 2024, 9:13 PM EDT
response: Thanks for the question.  I am puzzled by the pictures you submitted.  I cannot see any insects in them.  The white material also puzzles me.  Was this within the wood itself?  Was it under the bark?  Do you think this came from the insect?  What seemed to you to be unusual about the wood?  Was this wood cut on your parent's property or was it brought in from a distance? Anticipating your response.  Thanks for consulting us.

responder: The Question Asker Replied October 28, 2024, 9:34 PM EDT
response: There are no visible insects.  If you brush the powder away, whatever it is, it'll reappear in about a day or so. I would say it is under the bark. My parents bought the wood from somewhere near Lanesboro. I believe they have a sawmill there. I think these are the oak scraps. The little white pile seems unusual, almost like it's some kind of boring insect that is tunneling and that's pushing out this powder. On Mon, Oct 28, 2024 at 8:13 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied October 29, 2024, 9:58 AM EDT
response: Thanks for getting back to me. I suspect this wood is showing an infestation by adult oak powderpost beetles. They can infect either fresh or dried wood. Obviously, they came in with the firewood. Since wood borers usually only infect green wood, they can be ruled out as a possibility. The excrement (also termed “frass”) from these powderpost beetles has a white appearance. That this frass continues to appear suggests an active beetle population. Often under the frass deposition is a hole in which the beetle resides. In the pictures where the white substance has been knocked off, I can see such holes. If my identification is correct, your concern that these beetles may infect other wood is well-founded. These beetles can attack structural wood. I suggest that all the firewood be removed from the basement and be put outside ASAP. Hopefully cold winter temperatures may kill any beetles present. Firewood brought in from outside and immediately burned would also destroy any beetles in the wood. See the following for information on these and related points: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/powderpost-beetles-and-wood-inhabiting-fungi https://extension.psu.edu/powderpost-beetles - :~:text=Description,furniture, and other wood materials. https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef616 https://hardwoodfloorsmag.com/2022/06/01/wood-destroying-insects-managing-a-powder-post-beetle-infestation/ https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7418.html?src=302-www&fr=4574 Furthermore, as a precaution have your parents consider an examination of their premises by a professional exterminator. If this firewood has only recently been brought into the basement, beetle spreading would not be expected to have yet occurred, but one never knows. See: https://www.aptera.com/pest-control/mn/fillmore-county.php https://extension.umn.edu/home-maintenance-and-safety/hiring-pest-control-professional Good luck. Please contact us if further, related questions arise. Thanks for consulting us.

responder: The Question Asker Replied October 29, 2024, 8:30 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your time.  I have read the articles on the links you provided.  I will relay your advice to my parents.   On Tue, Oct 29, 2024 at 8:58 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied October 29, 2024, 9:04 PM EDT
response: Glad to be of assistance. Please let us know if you and/or your parents have any further, related questions.  Thanks for using our forum.