Wood Borer

The term "wood borer" encompasses a variety of wood-boring beetles that can cause devastating damage to residential and commercial properties. Often referred to as woodworm, it is actually the larval or "worm" stage of the insect’s life cycle that does the damage. While names like Auger, Jewel, Stag, and Pinhole Borers sound fascinating, these pests are silent destroyers that can compromise the structural integrity of your building. To protect your property, professional wood borer treatment is essential to ensure these pests are effectively eliminated. To protect your property, professional wood borer treatment is essential to ensure these pests are effectively eliminated.

Common Types of Wood Borers

Not all wood borers are the same. Identifying the specific species is the first step in effective eradication

Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium punctatum): - The most frequent cause of damage in homes, targeting softwood and the sapwood of hardwoods.
Deathwatch Beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum): - Prefers old, damp hardwood like oak or chestnut. It is famous for the "ticking" sound it makes as it taps its head against wood to attract a mate.
House Longhorn Beetle (Hylotrupes bajulus): - One of the most destructive species, capable of causing severe structural damage in a very short timeframe.
Powderpost Beetle: - Known for turning wood into a fine, flour-like powder (frass).

Signs of an Active Infestation

Because these insects live inside the wood for two to five years, you may not see them immediately. Look for these red flags:

1. Fresh Exit Holes: Clean - Clean, sharp-edged holes (usually 1mm to 5mm) appearing in your timber.
2. Bore Dust (Frass): - If you see small piles of sawdust-like powder under wooden items, you likely have an active infestation.
3. Tunnels in Wood: - Also known as "galleries," these are often only visible if a piece of wood is cut or broken.
4. Crumbling Edges: - As the number of exit holes increases near the edge of a board, the wood will lose its strength and begin to crumble.

Wood Borer Problem?

Know what to look out for when Wood Borers are present

Get Rid of Wood Borers

Professional treatments for the removal of Wood Borers

Facts about Wood Borers

Here are some helpful facts about Wood Borers:

Adult beetles lay their eggs in cracks in wood. Outdoors this isn’t much of a problem, but if they lay your eggs inside your property they might infest floorboards, furniture, wooden beams and any other wooden objects.
Larvae burrow deep into the wood where they feed – and in the process make a maze of tunnels over several years.

If you don’t have specialist Wood Borer control the larvae can seriously weaken the timbers in a building. If left untreated, this may lead to structural failure of timbers.

Contact us today for fast, effective pest control treatments for your home or business

FACT: The Deathwatch Beetle makes a 'ticking' sound inside wooden timbers. Occupants of medieval sick rooms often heard this sound whilst keeping watch over the dead and dying, hence the name.

1. Property Survey:

A thorough inspection to determine the extent of the infestation and whether it is "active.

2. Targeted Treatments:

We use specialized aqueous-based treatments designed to penetrate the wood and eliminate larvae before they reach adulthood.

3. Preventative Solutions:

We provide timber preservation services to ensure your wood remains unappealing to future beetles.

Prevention Tips: Protect Your Timber

While professional treatment is the only way to stop an active infestation, you can take steps to protect your home:

Control Humidity: Wood borers thrive in damp wood. Keep your home well-ventilated and address any leaks promptly.
Seal Exposed Wood: Paint, varnish, or wax provides a barrier that makes it difficult for beetles to lay eggs in cracks.
Inspect Antique Furniture: Always check second-hand wooden items for exit holes or dust before bringing them into your home.

Don't wait for the damage to become visible. Contact us today for fast, effective, and professional pest control treatments tailored to your home or business.

FAQs

How do I know if I have a wood borer problem?

Look for "frass" (fine, powdery sawdust) beneath wooden items and small, round "flight holes" on the surface of the timber.
Can wood borers spread to other furniture?

Yes. Once adult beetles emerge, they seek out other wooden surfaces to lay their eggs, potentially spreading the infestation across your home or warehouse.
Do you treat wooden floors or roof beams?

Rentokil Kenya focuses on furniture, portable wooden items, containers, and silos. We do not provide structural treatments for fixed building elements like floors or rafters.
Is the fumigation process safe for my furniture?

Yes. Our fumigation methods are non-corrosive and safe for most wood finishes when handled by our licensed professionals.

Expert Wood Borer Control

We’ve been providing Wood Borer control for 60 years. Our experts recognise the different types of Wood Borer and offer precisely targeted treatment to sort out the problem quickly – and for good.