Woodworm
Woodworm Information
Wood boring insect infestations
Woodworm or if you prefer wood boring insect infestation is a common problem in many properties whither you're in Greenock, Largs or Glasgow.
There are a number of insects, most of which are beetles, which can attack the timbers within properties with common furniture beetle (Anobium punctatum) being the most common within properties in the West of Scotland.
Generally the infestation will be deemed as falling into one of the following three categories.
Category A, where insecticidal treatment is deemed as being necessary, there are only a few insects species which are capable of causing serious damaged in sound timber of which house long horn beetle (Hylotrupes bajulus) is by far the most serious from a structural view point. House long horn is however restricted in it's range to the south west of London (chiefly Surrey) and if a outbreak of house longhorn is suspected outwith this area the Building Research Establishment's Timber & Protection Division should be contacted.
Category B, where the insect species requires damp timbers, rotted by fungi no insecticidal treatment is normally required as the remedial attention necessary for the fungal decay (with possible fungicidal treatment) will remove the decaying timber leaving the insect infestation without a food source.
Category C, some insect attack the timbers only when green or partially dry, i.e. as a tree or stacked at saw mills. These types of insect are normally killed during drying out of the timbers. Some insect also form there homes in timber without feeding upon it merely forming a refuge. Neither of these two types of insect damage require insecticidal treatment.
Category A insects (insecticidal treatment usually needed)
Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium punctatum)
Lyctus powderpost beetle (Lyctus brunneus & Lyctus linearis)
House longhorn beetle (Hylotrupes bajulus)
Death watch beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum)
Ptilinus beetle (Ptilinus pectinicornis)
Category B insects (treatment only necessary for associated rot)
Wood boring weevils (Pentarthrun huttoni & Euophryum confine)
Wharf borer beetle (Nacerdes melanura)
Tenebriond beetle (Tenebrio mollitor & other species)
Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus & other species of the Lucanidae family)
Leafcutter bees & solitary wasps (Megachile spp. bees Crabro spp. wasps).
Category C insects (no treatment necessary)
Bark borer beetle (Ernobius mollis)
Moths (Tineola bisselliella clothes moth, Hofmannophia pseudopretella house moth & others)
Sawfly (Ametastegia glabrata)
Forest longhorn beetle (family Cerambycidae-numerous species)
Dermestid beetle (Dermestes spp. Attagenus pellio, Anthrenus spp.)
Wood wasp (Urocerus Sirex gigas and other Siricidae family species)
Bostrychid powderpost beetle (Bostrychidae family)
Jewel Beetle (Burprestidae family)
Pinhole borer beetle (many species from the Platypodidae, Scolytidae and Lymexylidae families)
Marine borer (Teredo spp)
What to do about woodworm
There are clearly a great many beetles (ask any coleopterist) and other insects which can affect a property though as previously highlighted common furniture beetle is the most common in Scotland. It is therefore important to seek the correct professional advice prior to having insecticidal works carried out in your property.
Miller Preservation have, when appropriate, been successfully treating property for wood boring insect infestation for many years and have help clients monitor infestations where the infestation showed little sign of activity to ensure the infestations inactive state without the need for insecticidal treatments.
There are a number of ways which a home owner or occupier can help monitor an infestation to ascertain whither any activity is present so give us a call and we'd be happy to discuss your requirements.
Get in Touch
So, for efficient Woodworm advice and treatemnt from Argyll & Inverclyde to North Ayrshire via Glasgow or any other regions in West Central Scotland, please don't hesitate to contact the friendly, knowledgeable team here at Miller (Preservation) Ltd. We look forward to hearing from you!