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How to Kill Wood Beetles With Alcohol

Wood-boring beetles are second only to termites in their wood-destroying capability within a home. The pests infiltrate houses by crawling into crevices in uncoated wood products, including firewood and unsealed wood furniture and lumber. Adult beetles lay their eggs in the crevices, and when the larvae hatch, they begin boring through the wood. Their presence generally is detected only after they've already caused damage; you'll notice holes in wood items, or sawdust piles near them. If you discover the insects in your home, you can kill them with an alcohol-based spray.

Things You'll Need

1 quart water
1 cup rubbing alcohol
Garden sprayer

Instructions

- 1
  Inspect the surfaces of wood products in your home and on your property to locate any infested items. Look for piles of sawdust near wood products, or oval-shaped holes in them.
- 2
  Isolate infested wood inside your home, in a room that has no wood structures. This will help prevent the beetles from invading other wood products in your house.
- 3
  Apply rubbing alcohol liberally to any infested wood items. Allow the wood products to dry and then store them in a non-wooded room until you're certain that the beetles are dead.
- 4
  Fill a garden sprayer with one cup of rubbing alcohol and one quart of water. Spray the perimeter of your property to deter wood beetles from entering your yard and home.
- 5
  Prevent infestation by maintaining a fresh coat of paint or varnish on furniture or exposed wood in your home. Store firewood as far away as possible from your house.

Insects & Science