While sorting through my stack of Ash lumber in preparation for making a bed frame, I notice lots of white powder and lots of dead bugs 1mm x 3 to 4mm. Likely powder post beetles based on earlier comments in this post.
Wondered how I could tell if the bugs and eggs were all dead, or would their destructive activity continue if I built something from this lumber.
After reading all the replies in this post I found solutions to kill the bugs, but no answer to the question of whether the bugs were already dead. Did some googling and found this:
https://www.orkincanada.ca/pests/bee...rpost-beetles/ "
Powderpost beetles require the moisture level of wood to be above 12%."
Checked wood with my Lignomat Pinless Scanner D moisture meter and found the moisture level was below 10%. So I feel safe in using the undamaged portions of wood.
If Bob Jones, the original poster ( from 2006 ! ) is still interested, they could check their bench with a moisture meter.
I purchased the ash a few years ago from a reputable lumber store. Perhaps the moisture content was above 12% so the bugs climbed in from other wood and lived happily until the moisture content dropped below 12%, at which time they crawled out onto the surface and died of thirst (poor things)