Borer beetle treatments need not be a death blow to your finances. If you regularly have the timbers in your house inspected, you can stop an infestation early on and save thousands. Borer beetles love wood structures such as hard wood floors, door frames, roof timbers and even furniture.
They lay their eggs in cracks, and as the larvae (woodworms) hatch, they eat their way through wood over several years, creating tunnels that compromise the integrity of wooden elements in your home.
Identifying and Treating Borer Beetles
First thing to do when dealing with borer beetle is to inspect and identify the type of borer beetle that needs to be eliminated.
Signs you might need a borer beetle treatment
- If you see fine white powder (also called frass), this is a sign of borer activity. If you find yellowish powder in the ceiling it can indicate old activity that could have been dealt with years before.
- You see holes in wood. They can be as small as 2-3mm across to about 5-7mm big depending on what type of borer beetle infestation you have.
- Sometimes you can hear them chewing through the wood. This is mostly at night time and can be a sign of a Hylotrupes Bajulus infestation.
If we found activity in your premises there is a couple of treatment available.
Treatment Options for Borer Beetles
Borer beetle treatment is all about breaking the lifecycle of these wood-destroying pests. The following methods are commonly used:
Pesticide Treatment:
Used for prevention and long-term protection, CTX can be painted over wood to protect from borer beetles infesting the timber in the first place and can give up to 3 years worth of protection. This product can also be used for drill and inject treatment.
Fumigation:
This involves covering the entire structure with tarpaulins and using ProFume or Methyl Bromide, gases that effectively eliminates all stages of wood-boring beetles.
Palliative Spot Treatment:
This is a localized treatment involving drilling and injecting insecticide. Though only partially effective, it can help slow down the infestation in small areas. A borate product can also be used for this purpose.
Prevention Tips for Borer Beetles
- Regular Inspections: Schedule an annual assessment with a pest control expert, especially in common woodborer flight areas.
- Avoid Attracting Beetles: At dusk, keep lights away from open windows as borer beetles are attracted to light.
- Spot Treatments: Conduct spot treatments whenever you notice droppings to manage colony growth.
If you spot beetles in your home, an insecticide may help eliminate those on surfaces. However, remember that the real solution lies in treating the wood itself.
Borer beetle treatment is essential in protecting the structural integrity of your home and its beautiful wooden elements. Don’t wait for the damage to escalate—start with regular inspections and treat as soon as you see the signs!