What is the main limitation of fumigation in controlling wood-destroying beetles?

The main limitation of fumigation in controlling wood-destroying beetles is that it cannot provide protection against future attacks. While fumigation can effectively eliminate existing infestations by penetrating the wood and killing beetles at various life stages, it does not create a barrier to prevent new beetles from infesting the wood in the future. This means that even after a successful fumigation treatment, wood that is not maintained or treated against future infestations remains vulnerable to new attacks by wood-destroying beetles.

In contrast, fumigation is generally effective for existing infestations, making claims of complete elimination misleading. While it may have a significant impact on many wood-destroying beetle species, it is not limited to only specific species, as it can be used against a broad range of pest species. Therefore, while fumigation has its merits in dealing with current problems, its inability to protect wood from future infestations highlights its limitations in long-term pest management strategies.