Question
Hi there,

We are having a terrible loss of pine trees on top of the horrible drought (one leads to another most likely). At any rate, I personally have lost three 80 foot probably 60 year old pine trees to the beetles. My questions is- my house is made of cedar on the outside and the inside is all pine ( treated pine). Is the inside of my house susceptible to the insects or is it only the trees? Maybe silly, but I have found several dead pine beetles in my house on occasion. Just want to make sure I shouldn't be doing something like exterminating? I never would have thought this, but with all the strange goings on, one never knows.

Thanks- Stacey

Answer
The beetles will definitely NOT attack the cedar siding on your house or the pine inside. They infest only live trees since they feed on the living cambium layer and need the moisture of the tree to complete a life cycle. Do not worry about your house being attacked by these beetles.