Timber Infestation
The most common species of woodboring insect in the UK is the Common Furniture Beetle. This species can be identified by the small, round holes they leave on the timber’s surface. In most cases, the fix is simple. Any structurally-weakened timber must be replaced with pre-treated timber. All affected surfaces should then be sprayed with a woodworm insecticide.
Other woodboring insects common to the UK include the Death Watch Beetle, House Longhorn Beetle, and the Powderpost Beetle. Whilst the Powderpost beetle can be treated in much the same way as the Common Furniture Beetle, House Longhorn and Death Watch Beetle infestations require a bit more.
1
Woodboring Insects
When carrying out our timber treatments, the area will need to be vacated due to chemicals being used. For example, if we are treating timbers on the first-floor level of a property, you cannot go on this floor level but can remain on the lower ground floor.
The treated areas need to remain vacated for at least 1 hour once the treatment has completed to allowed to the chemical to dry. Once an hour has passed, you can return to the areas but please do not touch the treated areas for at least 24 hours to allow for the chemical to fully absorb.
You may want to ventilate the treated area to help disperse the smell which can be caused during our treatment. This can be done by opening doors and windows.
Our timber preservation chemical is water based and there may be some run-off or drips after we have carried out the treatment. These marks can be washed off walls and untreated floors as you would with a regular stain. However, please do not wash or clean the timbers as this can remove the chemical treatment.
If the stains do not wash off, you may have to repaint or redecorate the area. Our technicians cover and protect the areas when carrying out treatments, but due to the chemical being airborne when sprayed, it can sometimes get behind sheeting and protection.
Please do not paint the treated areas of timber as this can affect the chemical treatment!
If Wykamol Plus is to be used, this is a solvent-based chemical and must have 48 hours of clearance in treated areas. No naked lights or flames within this period.
2
Death Watch Beetles
As the Death Watch Beetle larva lives in the timber for a considerable amount of time, i.e. up to 8 years. The larva being deep-seated, infestations within the timber can continue for this period after surface treatment only has been carried out, thus causing extensive damage.
Additionally, it is often found that where Death Watch Beetle infestations are severe then these can be formed within the heart of the timber cavities where the Death Watch Beetle can emerge and reproduce without having to emerge from a treated surface.
Death Watch Beetle also tunnel across the grain of the timber and where the timbers are recessed in walls can emerge through the inaccessible surface of the timber where normal surface treatment cannot be applied
