David

I do believe I have a good idea of what the beetle is, But to help me get a correct ID I have some questions for you.

Do you have firewood in the house?

What part of the house are these beetles found?

When did you first find them?

How big is the beetle?

Are you still finding them?

Can you take some more pictures?

Pictures from different angles can be a big help in the ID of this beetle. Try to get a better focus as well.

Let me know if you have any additional questions. Thank you for contacting us at Ask Extension. Rich

David

Thanks for your answers, they were most helpful.

What you have is a nautical borer, Neoclytue spp. a longhorn beetle that commonly emerges from firewood' that is brought into the house during the fall, winter, and spring periods. You can check out the firewood you have in your house, look for small round holes in the branches, and logs. The wood having warmed up to room temperature makes the beetles inside the logs think it is spring, they come out, and we encounter them.

It attacks unseasoned wood with bark remaining, and frequently causes serious losses of ash, hickory, and oak logs left exposed during the flights of these insects. Best solution is to keep your firewood outside the house and bring it in as you need it.

Let me know if you have any additional questions. Thank you for contacting us at Ask Extension. Rich