Larvae usually require 2 to 3 years to develop in wood with 15 to 25 percent moisture, but they can take as long as 15 years to develop in very dry wood. Usually, larvae become adults in the spring, but they may not emerge immediately. Adults are normally most active in June and July. There are several factors you should consider before starting control measures for wood-boring beetles. The first is that no control may be necessary.
Many homes have some damage from wood-boring beetles.
However, in many cases the damage is very minor and old, which means that all the beetles have died. Unless you see beetles or fresh wood powder around the holes, chemical treatment is not necessary. Fresh wood powder is usually light in color and does not clump. Old wood powder is often yellowed and clumps together. Also, there are many beetles in nature that attack wood but do not cause serious damage or reinfest lumber in homes.