replacing moulding

[Ronnie Rimmer, Graham N.C.]

my neighbor asked me to come over and look at the molding around his window.under the paint there are channels cut in the wood about 3/16 to 1/4 wide as if some boring insect has been there-no sign of sawdust and they haven't seen
any bugs. the channels just surface in 4 or 5 places. would like to know what caused this before replacing the molding. don't know if there is damage to framing he has expensive wallpaper -does
not want me to tear into it till we know what we are dealing with.
any suggestions?
ronnie

[Steve Clardy]

there would be no sawdust showing from termites. Also you would not see them as they do not like sunlight. They usually tunnel in and leave a trail of dirt and sawdust in the cavity. Maybe take a ice pick and probe around under the window casing before removing a piece of it. Steve