London & Home Counties Timber Preservation Specialists

Insect Infestation

Insects

Many insects are able to use wood as a food source. In doing so they make hundreds of tunnels, which can cause serious damage to the wood. Insects are commonly known to attack trees and damp wood found in the garden, and are easily recognised. However there are a few insects that are able to survive in dryer conditions found in the home.

Beetles

A common cause of various wood related problems are due to the appearance of beetles. There are a plethora of beetles that attack wood. Listed below are the beetles most likely to be responsible.

Common Furniture Beetle

By far the most common of all insects that attack seasoned timber. The adult beetle lays its eggs, between 20-80, in crevices in the timber. Hatching occurs in 3-4 weeks, the grub burrowing through the timber for between 2-4 years. Normally in April or May the adult beetle emerges through the characteristic flight hole.

House Longhorn Beetle

Originating on the continent this insect has now become endemic in certain parts of Southern England, centering on Camberley and Walton-on-Thames, recently found in Richmond (Surrey) and Reading (Berks). The danger in infestation by this insect lies in its relatively large size, the grub growing to almost an inch in length. As the life cycle can be as long as eight years, it is not long before structural weakness occurs.

Death Watch Beetle

Death Watch Beetles normally attack hard wood only, being found principally in old oak beams. The name derives from the insects’ partiality for those beams which are often found in churches and its characteristic "tapping" mating call.

Wood Boring Weevil

The prerequisite for an infestation by these insects is that the timber must to some extent be pre-digested by wood rotting fungi.