Wood-boring insects are capable of causing real damage to wooden structures and components. They can attack beams and frameworks, parquet flooring and even furniture.
If the problem is of little or moderate severity, it can be dealt with without calling in a professional. Here’s how.
A few words about wood-eating insects
Wood-eating insects are a family of different insect species. They include
- Termites: these colony-dwelling insects are easily found in the wild, where they pose no real problem. However, termites can sometimes invade a home and attack the wood in it. In this case, all wood species are affected, with the exception of certain exotic species.
- House beetles: House beetles take refuge and develop in wood cracks. Adult specimens don’t really pose a problem, as it’s their larvae that feed on the wood. They dig galleries and are capable of weakening certain structures. Softwoods such as pine, fir and spruce are the most vulnerable to capricorn invasions.
- Beetles: these are insects that can infest homes with infiltration problems or those that have been flooded. This insect is particularly dangerous, as it is very fond of wood, whether in the form of framing, parquet flooring or furniture, which it attacks greedily.
Both dry and fresh wood are affected by this problem, with each insect capable of attacking the other. The only way to avoid serious damage is to detect the problem as quickly as possible and treat it effectively. Here are a few tips to help you do just that.
How to detect wood-eating insects at home?
Detecting and identifying wood-boring insects in your home is essential if you are to react quickly and use the most appropriate treatment to get rid of them.
Some wood-boring insects have their own preferences, which can make them easier to identify. Capricorn beetles, for example, prefer to nest in warm, dry places. Termites, on the other hand, prefer damp, poorly ventilated areas.
Whatever the case, here are the main symptoms of termite infestation:
- Traces of sawdust on floors and furniture. This is often one of the first symptoms you notice. No matter how hard you clean, sawdust keeps appearing on the floor, sofas and even furniture. In fact, as they move around, wood-eating insects often leave behind a fine, characteristic kind of wood flour. In this case, beetles are often at the root of the problem.
- Holes in the wood. If small, round holes appear in your frame, floorboards or wooden furniture, you’ve definitely been invaded by wood-boring insects. These holes are just the visible part of huge galleries dug into the wood.
- Galleries. Galleries are often hidden inside the wood. If you dismantle infested parts during renovation work, for example, you’re bound to find long, characteristic galleries.
- The presence of larvae. Larvae, or woodworms, betray the presence of adult xylophagous insects in your home. These larvae are generally responsible for wood deterioration.
- The presence of dead insects. When the infestation is particularly advanced, it’s not impossible to find dead insects on the ground.
It’s important to note that some worms can remain in the larval stage for years before becoming adults, nibbling and weakening your wood for many months. This is one of the reasons why it can sometimes be very difficult to detect an infestation.
What can be done to eradicate wood-boring insects?
Light to moderate insect control can be carried out without the intervention of a professional, thanks to a number of simple solutions. However, if you suspect an advanced infestation, or if despite your best efforts you are unable to eliminate the presence of wood-boring insects, professional intervention is essential.
For the time being, here are a few examples of curative treatments for wood-boring insects. These solutions treat and protect wood.
Please note: when using insecticides, it is essential to wear suitable protective equipment and to follow the manufacturer’s directions for use to the letter.
1 – Injection treatment
Injection is a highly effective technique for treating wood by injecting insecticide directly into the galleries. This is usually achieved by drilling small-diameter holes in the wood and injecting the product. If you notice holes on the surface of the wood, you can also inject the product directly using a syringe.
2 – Logging treatment
Logging is one of the most effective techniques for eliminating wood-boring insects. It involves removing all damaged parts of the wood. The parts in good condition are then treated by brushing and dusting. The final step is to apply the curative treatment product and replace any parts that are too damaged.
3 – Treatment by spraying or brushing
This technique is effective in eliminating adult insects and their larvae. This type of treatment should be repeated after 24 hours for optimum results. A second injection treatment can follow for best results on particularly affected wood.
Final word:
It’s important to note that new-build structures come with a 10-year warranty against wood-eating insects. For older constructions, or if you’ve exceeded this period, an invasion is still possible.
If in doubt, act quickly to avoid serious damage.
