Bugs in my ceiling?

First of all, I'm not crazy, but I have a 2008 32QBBS that has needle size holes appearing in the ceiling panels in various places from the galley area to the bedroom. Some places have just one or two and one panel in the bedroom has about fifty. Below each area there is a small amount of powdery residue. The dealer said they've never seen this. I've plugged each hole with silicone, but they reappear somewhere else. The holes also don't go all the way thru the panel. Has anyone experienced this?

WTB, that is VERY strange.

I hope you can find a logical explanation for this phenom.

TC

Maybe you have Powderpost beetles??


Earl

What part of the country are you in ? Thats a first for anything eating sheet rock i've heard of .

Can you actually SEE bugs on the ceiling making those holes?

Aren't the ceilings made out of a wood composite, fiber board maybe?

TC

I live in the Dallas Texas area, and I've never seen any trace of an insect around any of the holes. Whatever bores these holes turns the material into a fine powder directly below the holes. I've found powder on the counter tops, on the carpet, on top of the curtains. I vacuum it up each time I find it, but it returns near the same place or somewhere else. I've never found any new powder while camping. I also keep the trailer very clean, and it's stored outside with an Adco cover ( this was happening before I bought the cover ). The ceiling appears to be some kind of board material with the decorative layer on the lower side. The holes don't penetrate farther than the decorative layer. The dealer claims to not know what is causing the powder but when I saw that they had dabbed silicone on the ceiling is when I became aware of the holes. They obviously knew it was coming from the holes, even tough they didn't mention it. Very bizarre.

I would entertain the notion of setting off a bug bomb in there. If you do this then you'l probably want to remove the trim from around the skylights so the poison can get into your attic.

Some of the powder post beetle hole pics I saw on the internet look just like what I have. I read that the holes are actually the adult exit holes after laying eggs. What I read didn't make the treatment sound very easy. I'll investigate further.

I'm with ScottandGrace, I'd set off a bug fogger and then follow it up with another in a week. I set one off at the beginning of each season and at the end also.

Did a search on Wood Magazines forums. One suggestion is to check witha county agricultural commissioner or couty extension office; the poster says they are experts in pest control and they are FREE. they will give expert advise on what controls are legal, work and instuctions on use. they will also identify the critter(insect/larva). FWIW

Well, I started pulling apart part of the ceiling and I found one of the wood eating critters. It's a powder post beetle alright. Just found one though. I pulled apart several areas of the ceiling to get as much access as possible for the pest control guy. I haven't contacted them yet, so i don't know if and how they can treat my trailer. I didn't find any actual damage, but there was several areas with powdery residue. I assume they are eating the inside of the ceiling panel which is plywood. I'll keep ya'll posted on the pest control. Thanks for all the help. On another note, it sure is annoying to find saw dust in every hidden area of this trailer. The quality control in the RV industry is awful. Made in the USA doesn't mean much anymore.

FR will probably step up to the plate (as they often do) and replace your ceiling panels N/C.

Rod Batts' info is on another thread. He can either get the ball rolling for you or point you in the right direction. Many here, including myself, have found satisfaction dealing with FR by speaking directly with him.

BTW, take plenty of good pictures as documentation and proof.

I'm glad you were able to get to the bottom of this. KUDOS to Earl. I would have NEVER known that such a critter existed had I not read it here first!!

TC

After going to lots of trouble to gain access for pest control, the two companies I called both said to let the beetles do their thing and die. They said they wouldn't lay new eggs in dead wood and would just die in a day or two. They said the only effective treatment for a trailer would be to bag it and gas it at a cost of a couple thousand and thats only if I could find a company that could do it. So, I put the trailer back together and I'll just keep cleaning up the powder and plugging the holes, which are still appearing. None of the panels seem to need replacing. By the way, the rep from FR was very interested and helpful. I would also advise everyone to check the quality of the tape job from the A/C ducts to the vents as I found a lot places where air was just going above ceiling. Anyway, thanks to everyone for your help!

WTB

What's going to stop them from breeding. As long as they have a food source, they're going to multiply.

If it were me, I'd get another opinion. The explanantion they gave you just doesn't sound right. My first reaction to your post was, you got the brush-off.

TC