Target :

• Sapwood.

Damages :

• Shafts and galleries parallel to the wood thread wherein wood dust is present.
• 5 - 10 mm oval-shaped exit holes.

Appearance :

• Larvae :
  • 20 - 25 mm long, ivory-white colour (larval cycle 3-5 years).
• Adults :
  • 10 - 20 mm long , deep brown colour.
  • Lifetime : 2 - 3 weeks.
  • Egg laying : 40 - 100 eggs.

Target :

• Lumber (softwood and hardwood) often infested by rot fungus.

Damages :

• Shafts and galleries parallel to the thread of wood.
• 1 - 3 mm round exit hole (4 mm for the deathwatch beetle).

Appearance :

• Common furniture beetle :
  • Larvae
    • Arched body, 5 - 7 mm long, white colour.
    • Larval cycle : 1 - 4 years.
  • Adults
    • 2,5 mm - 5 mm long, deep brown colour.
    • Lifetime : 3 - 4 weeks.
    • Egg laying : 20 - 30 eggs.
• Deathwatch beetle :
  • Larvae
    • Arched body, 6 - 11 mm, white colour.
    • Abundant hair.
    • Larval cycle : 1 - 10 years depending on the level of fungal attack.
  • Adults
    • 5 - 7 mm long.
    • Deep brown colour with tufts of yellow hair.
    • Lifetime : 9 weeks.
    • Egg laying : 100 eggs.

Target :

• Hardwood (including tropical woods).

Damages :

• Numerous shafts and galleries blocked with sawdust.
• 1 - 2 mm round exit holes.

Appearance :

• Larvae :
  • 5 - 7 mm long, white colour.
  • Larval cycle : 8 - 12 months.
• Adults :
  • 3 - 6 mm long, reddish brown body.
  • Lifetime : 2 - 6 weeks.
  • Egg laying : approx. 20 eggs.

Hymenopteran xylocopa

Target

•    Any soft wood species (hardwood and softwood)

Damages

•   Large galleries of 10 - 15 mm diameter and up to 45 cm long
•   Woodchips are rejected ou of the timber

Appearance

•   Visual : looks like a bumblebee
•   Colour : black body with purplish wings
•   Size : 20 - 25 mm long

Target

All wood species may be attacked by ants. However, ants will prefer to aim woods which have been already faded by fungi.

Damages

• Tunnels and galleries : large cavities with clear and smooth finished walls without worm-hole
• Wood chips and remains of insects are rejected outside

Appareance

• Will vary according to the species
• Camponotus herculeanus : 7 - 14 mm long, reddish brown colour
• Lasius niger : 2 - 4 mm long brown colour
• Lasius fuliginosus : 3 - 5 mm long, bright black colour

PREPARATION STAGE

• Probing the timbers : Run a mechanical check of the timbers to detect mines and galleries.
• Chopping the damaged timbers : everywhere and infestation has been detected, get rid of the damaged wood and remain only with the sound wood exposed.
• If ever the mechanical resistance of the timber appears to be weaker than expected, double-check with a certified architect.
• Brushing and cleaning : brush and clean any mine/gallery to evacuate frass in order to ease the product penetration into the treated area.

TREATMENT STAGE

At this stage, a biocide will be used to stop larval development and prevent new egg layings.

2 routes are possible for treatment :

• Injection and spraying of liquid biocidal products
• Coating of surface by biocidal gels (specific cases)

In both cases, timbers and wood in contact with masonry (brick walls, concrete blocks) will be treated by injection.