General
This species is very common in our country. It looks somewhat like the longhorn beetles due to its lengthy feelers, but it is part of an entirely different group of beetles. Originally probably originating from the Great Lakes in North America, it is now present worldwide in the temperate regions.

Appearance / Lifestyle
The beetle is 6 – 12 mm long and red-brown. The ends of the elytra are black. The beetles can fly. The larvae of this beetle species can get 12 – 18 mm long and are off-white. They often live in partly decayed wood of hardwood and softwood trees. Especially piles that are half in the water can be eaten entirely. The beetles that are often found in houses and buildings in water rich areas, emerge from April to August and drop their eggs in suitable wood. Often, the breeding place must be looked for under the building, possibly in the piles or in the timber formwork that hasn’t been removed after pouring the concrete. Indoor woodwork can also be affected, however, only of the atmosphere is very humid.

Especially in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, this beetle generally occurs in houses and buildings. In certain cases, this beetle species can also live in wooden house boats. A primary life condition for the larvae is the fact that the wood has to be wet and must also have been attacked by fungi. However, it shouldn’t be rotten tot he extent that it crumbles.

Control
In most cases, pest control is not necessary, since the beetles are likely to only attack the wood that has already deteriorated. However, an investigation into the development place is desired, to remove the affected wood (source) where possible. If wood is affected indoor, the humidity should be reduced immediately. This can be done by ventilating during sunny dry weather, or by dry firing the areas and improving the ventilation.