If you read the previous article on the flatheaded borer, you will recall that the species leaves an elongated or very oval hole. That is different than the cerambycid and the shape of the exit hole is caused by the shape of the larvae's head. Below is cerambycid beetle larvae. A larvae of this shape (rounded head) leaves rounded holes like those above. It is important for an inspector to be able to identify holes made by cerambycid or buprestid beetles, as both species are non re-infesting so their damage is not a worry like damage from the anobiid or lyctid beetles.
Here in Washington State there are NO flatheaded borers or cerambycid (roundheaded) borers that are re-infesting. These species do not require chemical treatment. As with the flatheaded borers, the cerambycid beetles infest live or dying trees and have no interest in lumber that is used in the house. I will clarify -- this applies in the Pacific Northwest -- some areas of the country have a cerambycid beetle that re-infests, the old house borer. The insect below is a cerambycid beetle, the banded alder borer. This is what the insect looks like as an adult. They are commonly found in wooded areas.
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
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Good post Steve, you might want to add the information about how long these critters can be in the wood in a house before they finally exit to fly away.
Charlie,
That varies but I have seen speculation, from WSDA, that the buprestid and cerambycid species can be in wood for 20 or more years before exiting. An average would probably be 7 to 10 years, even longer than the anobiid hangs in wood chewing away.