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Health & Environmental Services

Tel: 03450 450 063

Fax: 01954 713149
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Environmental FAQs

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WOOD-BORING BEETLES

South Cambridgeshire District Council does not provide a service for the treatment of Wood-Boring Beetles however the information provided should allow you to make a decision regarding appointing a specialist pest control company
(search for Pest Control at yell.co.uk (This link will open in a new window)).

Control of domestic Wood-Boring Beetles

Since damage by wood-boring beetles nearly always has its source in eggs laid by the female, one important method of prevention is to take care that infested wood, particularly infested furniture, is not introduced into the house, or if the furniture cannot be dispensed with, to take steps to eradicate the infestation while it is still localised.

Wood can be protected from infestation and existing infestations eradicated by treatment with a commercial wood preservative, persistent contact insecticidal fluid, or preservative-insecticide mixture sold for 'woodworm' control. These chemicals are made up in appropriate solvents designed to give maximum penetration of the wood and can be applied by brushing, spraying or pressure-injection (although the latter method usually requires the services of a specialist pest control company). Commercial products for household use should be available from hardware stores, garden centres and other retail outlets that stock household and garden insecticides. Ask your local stockist for advice on the range of approved products available in your area or country, since this varies from place to place.

The best time to apply insecticides to wood is in spring (March-May) when the insects are near the surface of the wood, just before they emerge, and so are more accessible to the insecticide. The life cycle of most wood-boring beetles lasts more than one year, so that to achieve complete eradication it is essential to repeat the treatment each year until signs of the attack disappear.

The treatment of house timbers is usually a task for a specialist firm. Where the attack has been so severe that the strength of timbers is affected, replacement of parts may be unavoidable. Floorboards, panelling, etc., may have to be removed in order to treat the under surfaces and joists.

In confined areas such as roof spaces, attics or cellars, the use of insecticide fumigation or smoke generators offer a means of preventing re-infestation by killing the adult beetles. Consult a specialist pest control company when dealing with any extensive problem of this kind, especially where structural timbers may be involved.