Treatment of Woodworm and Repair
Common Furniture Beetle 'Woodworm' (Anobium punctatum)
The Common Furniture Beetle, also known as Woodworm, will be found attacking
softwood construction timbers also European hardwoods, very rarely found in
tropical hardwoods. Frequently found in older furniture hence the name "Common
Furniture Beetle". The flight holes which can be seen on the surface of
the timber is where the adult beetle will usually emerge between late March
and early August.
The characteristic circular flight holes are of 1 - 2 mm in diameter. After mating occurs, the females will lay their eggs on the surface, crevasses or old flight holes of surrounding timber. After the eggs hatch a new life cycle will begin. An infestation by this beetle will usually occur in dry and well ventilated areas, suspended ground floors, roofs, panelling etc. Normally the severity of the attack in these areas will depend on any associated dampness, structural weakness can occur depending on the severity of the infestation and our surveyor will determine what treatments and replacement is deemed necessary.
This insect is found throughout Great Britain and is often misidentified with
other wood boring insects.
The most common insect misidentified as Common Furniture Beetle is the Wood
Boring Weevil:
Wood Boring Weevils Pentarthum huttoni and Euophryum confine
Habitat Decayed hardwoods and softwoods in damp conditions.
Poorly ventilated ground floors, cellars and all timbers in contact with damp
floors and walls become susceptible to infestation. Beetle and larvae are numerous
with holes normally evident in the direction of the grain.
Treatments Normally,
no chemical treatment is required but the source of dampness must be removed
followed by the removal of affected timbers. Infestation of dry timber is not
possible.
Other wood boring insects that can be found in the UK are:
Bark Borer Beetle Ernobium mollis (waney edge borer)
Habitat Damage confined to bark and immediate underlying layer
of sapwood. Usually found in recently dead trees, logs, slabs and posts. Can
sometimes be found in buildings if bark is still present.
Treatments Falls into
category C. Insects where treatment is not necessary. When the bark is removed
the infestation will cease.
Wharf Bencar Beetle Nacerdes melanura
Habitat Very damp, decayed timber, often found in wharf timbers or timbers
in fresh water or brackish conditions. Once found, far away from its normal
habitat in the original wood blocks forming the roadway, which were left
in situe and covered over in the now named, The Priory in Birmingham City
Centre.
Treatments No insecticidal treatment required. Remove source of dampness, dry
out sound timber and replace as necessary. Re-infestation of sound wood is
not possible.
Powder Post Beetle Lyctus brunneus:
Habitat Tropical and Europeans hardwood, principally oak and elm with large
pores and high starch content. A pest of the Stock yard's or Timber Yards,
after which common in furniture and occasionally oak timbers and strip flooring.
Treatments Organic solvent or micro-emulsion where softwood is easily accessible.
Treatment to furniture or decorative flooring being dependant on finishes which
limit the fluid absorption. Where kiln sterilisation or stock is kept, regular
inspection is advised.
House Longhorn Beetle Hylotrupes bajulus,
Habitat Sapwood of most softwoods, particularly roofing timbers.
At this present time it is only common in areas of the South West of London
where special Building regulations exists to protect further spread. Small
inactive infestations can be found in buildings 100 years old in London. This
can be overlooked in the early stages, however, it can be extensive when tunnels
join up causing complete disintegration. Larval feeding may be audible on warm
days and can be heard as a scraping noise.
Treatments Micro-emulsion, paste
or organic solvents. Inspect thoroughly to determine structural weakening,
remove and burn all badly damaged timber.
Note: Any suspected outbreaks should be reported directly to the BRE Centre
for timber technology and construction, who maintain records of infestations
in the UK.
Death Watch Beetle Xestobium rufovillosum.
Habitat Sapwood of hardwoods chiefly oak sometimes found
in hartwood. Often found in historic buildings, churches where large section
oak or elm was used in the construction. Dampness is essential for establishment
and the promotion of development a slower growth rate can continue in drier
timber.
Treatments Organic solvent, micro-emulsion or paste. Pressure
injection using flight holes or purpose drilled holes to reach deep larvae
and beetles. Drefrass timbers as necessary and replace or support structural
timbers as required.
