Get Rid Of Woodworm/Furniture Beetle Problems | Woodworm Removal Specialists
How Do I Know I Have A Problem?
You only see the holes that the Furniture Beetle Larva make as they exit the wood. These are called ‘exit holes’. Problems are often only noticed once a Survey is done of the house.
In our experience some surveyors will say ‘evidence of wood boring beetles’ in houses of a certain age to cover themselves. To understand the treatment the life cycle needs to be explained. The adult (this is the Furniture Beetle) is a naturally occurring beetle in the UK and lays eggs on dead trees, normally pine but other woods in a greater state of decay will be chosen.
The adults don’t feed on wood but on pollen. Some may not feed at all and as in a lot of insects and beetles the adults main function is to mate and lay eggs. Furniture beetles coming across timber in buildings treat it as they would a dead tree, they lay eggs on it. The eggs hatch into small grubs which bore into the wood. This causes the damage. Too much boring leads to the weakening of the timber. It (the Larva) can stay in the wood for up to 6 years but normally it emerges in under 3 years. It is often 6 years in buildings as the artificial conditions in a building effect the lifecycle. When the larva is ready to pupate it bores its way to near the surface of the wood and pupates. The adult beetle then emerges from the pupa in Spring or early Summer (again this may be different inside buildings due to the conditions inside) and chews its way out the remaining wood and flies away. This leaves behind the familiar woodworm ‘exit holes’. Fine gritty powder is also ejected from the exit holes at this stage. The adult Beetles mate and lay eggs on the wood which hatch out, the young larva then bore into the wood and the life cycle (and damage) continues. Treatment is more a long term slowing down of the problem.
Treatment
We treat the infested accessible timber with an insecticide containing a special timber treatment formulation called ‘Microguard/Permagard’ (HSE no. is 5741) which contains a modern synthetic Pyrethroid insecticide: Permethrin. This will not kill any woodworm living within the wood but kill any eggs laid on the treated surfaces. This formulation of insecticide will last many years but as it won’t kill any woodworm already within the wood they’re may be activity (adults Furniture beetles & new exit holes in the wood) for up to 6 years after treatment. Many timbers in a house are boxed off or inaccessible for treatment but the Furniture Beetles are more likely to lay eggs on easily accessed timbers but not exclusively.
Preparation Prior To Treatment
If lofts are infested then clear these out of insulation etc. The insecticide will be more effective on dust free surfaces. If floorboards, joists need treating then carpets, plasterboard and other coverings will need to be lifted. The PEST UK technicians can do limited work of this nature but we are not builders and cannot be reasonable for any damage.
What Do I Do Afterwards?
After treatment do not let people or animals walk on treated surfaces until dry and if bare skin comes into contact whilst wet then wash. After spraying ventilate the area thoroughly and keep off treated surfaces until dry.
Guarantee
The treatment is guaranteed to prevent fresh infestations of the treated areas of the timber for up to ten years. New exit holes will appear for up to 6 years after treatment.
Berkshire Pest Control Ltd t/a PEST UK Terms & Conditions apply.
Insecticide: Microguard/Permagard’ (HSE no. is 5741) Permagard Products Ltd, Unit C3 Avonmouth Docks Estate, Chittening, Avonmouth, Bristol BS11 0YB.
Tel: 0117 938 1596
