Wood Beetle Infestation Uk

Death watch beetles attack timbers that have a moisture content of over 14.
Wood beetle infestation uk. Woodworm refers to the larvae of any wood boring beetle rather than one particular species. The wood must be partially infected by fungi for a beetle to lay eggs on it. The death watch beetle is the 2nd most common infestation in the uk. Species of woodboring beetles in uk death watch beetle xestobium rufovillosum the death watch beetle is native to britain and prefers hard timbers such as oak chestnut and beech.
Dead or live adult beetles indicate that your property has or has had an attack by wood boring insects. A professional survey will determine if the attack is active or historic. These beetles are most common in central and southern england and are known for the distinctive tapping noise the adult beetles make when attracting a mate. Woodworm are the larvae of wood boring beetles and the most common species is the common furniture beetle.
This one of the worst wood boring beetles that can affect your property. Wood boring beetles such as powderpost japanese or any common furniture beetle can damage almost any wood structure. Woodwormis a colloquial term used to describe the different wood boring insects mainly beetles that attack timbers in buildings. The house longhorn beetle attacks the sapwood of softwood and can potentially cause severe structural damage to properties.
Signs of infestation oval emergence holes 6 8mm across. A small insect in terms of size it can still bore very deeply into timber. House longhorn beetles are mainly found in the south east of england and are particularly common in north west surrey. The house longhorn beetle is the most damaging wood boring insect.
The larva will mature into a woodworm beetle over 3 4 years boring its way through the wood. In the uk the most common are the common furniture beetle anobium punctatum deathwatch beetle xestobium rufuvillosum house longhorn beetle hylotrupes bajulus and powderpost beetle lyctus brunneus all invade and consume wood and then leave when they have reached maturity. Adult beetles are about 60 mm long and have elitra a pair of hardened forewings. Many buildings and structures in the uk will have suffered beetle damage at some point and although there are many species of wood boring beetle thankfully only a handful cause significant damage in buildings.
The costs of a woodworm infestation can be immense not only damaging your furniture but may also affect the timber structure of your house. Severe internal damage often filled with loose frass. The powder post beetle has reddish brown colouring and a slightly hairy complexion. Other common beetles include the following.
Determine if your infestation is active with wood eating bugs then replace or treat wood with a borate based product to kill the larvae and get rid of wood boring beetles.