Are there any insects that eat away at brick?

Question

There is a very fine brick-colored powder falling from isolated areas on one of the brick columns under my house. The powder collects more and more every day. There aren't any insects that are visible to me. Could there be insects there that I can't see? If not, what could be causing the powder to fall?

Answer 1

It may not be an insect but something is attacking the bricks (not mortar) inside my home. I thought mouse because we have had mouse trouble before, but no mousey signs, I doubt even a mouse could climb and cling to a brick wall let alone chew holes. Most of the internal walls have been rendered except the wc, and the two bedrooms. The interior of the bricks are quite a contrasting colour to the exterior, so it's quite easy to find the excavations. On inspection little chew marks are visible on the brick in the wc.  In one of the bedrooms he has obviouly found a brick to his liking, there is a hole 5cm x 4cm x 2cm deep and increasing, when I remember to look there is a pile of dust on the floor. Anyone have any idea? It's not panic stations yet but I don't wont holes appearing in my lovely interior walls....Greg.