This paper discusses the social-economic problems involved in the biological evaluation of dry-wood insects with particular reference to Nigeria. It also discusses prospects of applying non-conventional methods of control against such insects, integrating these with the conventional preservatives as a control strategy. This discussion follows attempts made to identify the major dry-wood insects in Nigeria as a base for raising cultures required in screening wood preservative materials. Hitherto, this allimportant aspect of wood science suffered underserved relegation in Nigeria. The commonest dry-wood insects identified so far include two species of dry-wood termites (Kalotermidae) Cryptotermes havilandi (Sjostedt) and Cryptotermes brevis (Walker); and beetles Lyctus africanus Lesne (Lyctidae), Minthea rugicollis (Walker), Bostrychoplies cornutus Olivier, Xyloperthella picea Olivier, Heterobostrychus brunneus Murray, Xyloperthodea nitidipennis Murray, and Apate spp. (Bostrychidae).

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