Especially in our coastal regions -- my experience seems to be that the closer I am to water the more prevalent they are -- this is a frequently seen and highly destructive pest. While I have seen major damage from carpenter ants, the more serious damage tends to come from anobiid beetles. Here on the west coast, generally speaking, we don't have the huge termite problems found in many other parts of the country. Anobiid beetles, unusual to most of the country, make up for that.
The photo below is typical of the damage from the anobiid beetle. The exit holes they leave are BB size, not too different from the photo. There is often a gritty frass around the holes. When this is apparent, it is most likely that the pest is active.
This pest is usually found living in the soft structural wood in damp crawl spaces, moisture content over 13%, and works silently and invisibly. With carpenter ants they are usually seen in the house as they set up their satellite nests. Sometimes carpenter ants make a rustling sound in walls too. Bottom line -- carpenter ants are more likely to be noticed than the anobiid. The anobiid, while in theory it can be heard, never has been in my experience nor have I talked to anyone who has heard them working. Maybe our world is such that it is not quiet enough to hear them in this day and age.
The photo below lookss very much like an anobiid beetle that I saw one time. They are rarely to never seen and the damage is done by the larvae not the adult. Despite this looking like the anobiid that I saw, it is blown up and much larger than an actual specimen. I always say they are smaller than a grain of rice but in that size category.
This species goes through complete metamorphosis and, as referenced above, the damage is done in the larvae form with the pest finally boring out as a pupa and exiting as the adult. The larvae dines in the wood for five or more years. The beetles that exit lay more eggs and the cycle can go on, and usually does, for years and years. It is not uncommon to find serious damage, and still active anobiid infestations, in 80 year old houses.
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
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I totally agree that the Anobiid Beetle is the worst critter we have in terms of amount of damage. Pretty rare to have a whole house destroyed by carpenter ants or termites. By the way how long did it take you to drill all them holes in that board?:)
Charlie,
Broke two bits trying to do that.
Glad we don't have those little critters in our neck of the woods.
Sean Allen
Sean,
Thanks for dropping by and taking a look. I appreciate your frequent comments and visits.
steve
Steven, While we do not have that critter, we do have termites and powder post beetles here in our neck of the woods... And don't forget Bubba...
Michael,
All these pests have such specific conditions that appeal to them that we have quite a variation of pests in different parts of the country.