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After-the-kiln powderpost beetle infestationQ.
We dried the rough stock down to 7 to 8 percent, then planed the floor to the customer's specs. The customer stored the material in his garage for a couple years. Now, after installing the floor, he notices small piles of sawdust and has determined it is powerpost beetles. Is this possible after going through our kiln, and should we be liable for the cost of the extermination after two years? A.
Did he have other wood stored there, especially some foreign hardwood? Powderpost beetle eggs will hatch and show up roughly year later.
Show him your typical kiln-drying schedule, where the temperature goes above 130 degrees. There is ample literature stating that the beetle and the eggs are killed at that temperature. From a legal standpoint, you have no problem if you followed the standard kiln schedule for ash. From a business standpoint, the person might spread bad vibes. I'd say work with him as much as you can, but you should have no financial liability.
You need to positively identify the bug. Lumber dried to 5 to 7 percent, then stored in who-knows-what conditions for a year or more after it was sold by you, I cannot imagine any liability on your part. You need to take a bug to your state university's entomology department for positive ID; this will help determine when the infestation could have occurred. Would you like to add information to this article? Interested in writing or submitting an article? Have a question about this article? Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below? 
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