Verified evidence guide

Wood-boring Holes

Small exit or entry holes in wood that may indicate insects or other causes.

Information from Pest Or Not Evidence Knowledge Database

Evidence context

Small exit or entry holes in wood that may indicate insects or other causes.

Common locations

  • • trim
  • • beams
  • • furniture

Commonly associated pests

  • • drywood-termites
  • • wood-boring-beetles
  • • carpenter-bees

Similar evidence to compare

  • rodent-gnaw-marks
  • termite-frass

What it may look like

  • • Round or oval holes
  • • Possible fresh dust or frass below

What to check next

  • • Measure hole diameter
  • • Inspect debris and wood above

Photos that can improve identification

  • • Hole beside a ruler
  • • Full wood member

Recommended direction

  • • Identify the source before treatment
  • • Assess structural extent

Prevention

  • • Protect exposed wood
  • • Keep wood dry

Reviewed guidance

Not sure what you found?

Upload the evidence and its surrounding context. The result supports comparison; it does not create certainty.

Identify evidence from a photo