If you read our POWDERPOST BEETLE ARTICLE, you'll learn the best product for the job will be BORACARE. It sounds like you have plenty of unfinished wood that's readily accessible so it should be fairly easy to do. Simply "paint" the application on so you don't make a mess. And remember "less is more". What I mean by this is that by applying small amounts over the same area several times, you'll get more into the wood.

When treating an open, raw piece of lumber like what you might have on a deck, one can spray aggressively without care or concern. But because there is no doubt intricate workings inside the upright piano, you cannot use such a technique so painting it on would be the way to go. In the end you'll get the same results; it will just take a little more time to do the job.

Lastly, make sure you understand the sawdust you're finding is the "exit" holes where they're leaving the upright piano and not signs of new ones attacking. This is a common misperception and it's important to understand the difference. This is covered in our article.

Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:

Powderpost Beetle Article:  http://www.powderpostbeetles.com/powderpost-beetle-control

Boracare:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/liquid/boracare-gal

Thank you for your help.

Of course you can burn all the boards. Personally I feel this would most definitely be overkill and not needed but would it get rid of any active beetles? For sure!

As for any chance of them getting into your other stack of barn wood? Yes, it could happen. As our article explains, exit holes are pupae hatching adults which are emerging seeking a mate and a good place to lay some eggs.

As for any concern about bringing them into your home on your clothing; this is highly unlikely and even if you did, there is little to no chance of them finding a suitable location in your home on which to live. These guys thrive outside and in most cases only get inside because lumber or furniture is brought into a home with an active infestation.

Now if you feel the wood is something you want to save, applying BORACARE to any lumber you'd like to protect would no doubt solve the problem. This process would be easy to do with the wood in it's current state and afterward you'd have some very interesting lumber that would no doubt have a unique look to it.

Here are links to the Boracare and our on line article which discusses in great detail all you need to know about this insect.

Boracare:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/liquid/boracare-gal

Powderpost Beetle Control:  http://www.powderpostbeetles.com/powderpost-beetle-control

This is entirely up to you. The wood definitely can be purged of all insect activity if that's what you're asking. Once rough cut, you could treat it will some BORACARE and let it cure for a few months. If done properly, the boring larvae would surely die and the Boracare should be able to provide protection for several years to come. But the real question is two fold; is the wood damaged so badly that it's not practical to use and is it even worth the time and effort to make it reusable?

The first consideration is a tough one. Many people like the way insect damaged wood looks. They feel the boring pests help to give the wood a certain character and presence which for some living environments is a desirable feature. But clearly it can get to a point where the damage is so extreme the wood is not able to function structurally. This you can generally ascertain upon the initial processing of the tree. At that time you can tell how badly it's been infested, how much damage the wood boring pests have done and whether or not what is left of the tree can be used for your project.

The second thing to consider is whether or not the wood is even worth the cost to make it usable. Remember, Boracare will cost as will your time and effort to do the treatment. Again, if there is a lot of wood and it has a certain look you desire, it can be saved. But in the end, only you can make this judgment call. And don't be afraid to give us a call if you'd like to  discuss this further; our toll free is 1-800-877-7290.

There is no need to treat again. As explained in our Powderpost Beetle Control Article, there are pupa casings in the wood which are not susceptible to the Boracare treatment. This third stage of the powderpost beetle is where larva molt to adults. When ready, the pupa casings will hatch and the exiting adults leave the powdery sawdust and tiny holes you're now finding. If done properly, the Boracare treatment should have penetrated the wood through and through. If so, any hatching larva still in the wood which feeds on the now treated flooring will die. Remember, adults do not feed but if they return to this wood and lay eggs, in theory hatching larva from these eggs should not be able to survive. In other words, over time your problem should dissolve and be gone.

In summary, what you're experiencing is quite normal and to be expected until the infestation runs full cycle. In this case, you will experience new exit holes continuously until all the pupa inside the wood have hatched and adults exited. I'm sure this answer does not make you feel better and has to make you wonder how long this can go on? Unfortunately, this is not a question I can accurately answer. I have seen exit holes occur for just a few days following Boracare treatments. My guess in these situations the infestation was small. On the flipside, I've seen exit holes continue for six months or longer. This would be the extreme situation and not common. In most cases, the existing pupa population will hatch out within one to three months.

Old House Beetle Larvae

These look like Old House Borer Beetle Larvae. They commonly infest pine and many times will be found under the pine bark of pine trees. Since pine trees are commonly used in home construction, Old House Borers are frequently found in houses as explained in our POWDER POST BEETLE CONTROL ARTICLE. As these larvae move through the wood they are literally eating it so a some treating will be needed.

Though most people attempt to treat this problem by applying some BAYGON to the holes which are clearly seen, this rarely solves the problem. As explained in our article, these are mostly all exit holes. The real problem is undoubtedly where you can't see. Beetle larvae could be through and through the wood so it's always best to treat as much as possible with BORACARE. This product will penetrate the wood and thus get the larvae as they feed.