Insect Attack

Insect Attack Insects attack wood for food Insects spend most of their time inside the wood In general, the life cycle of wood boring insects is the same

Wood Boring Insect Life Cycle – Stage 1 + 2

Wood Boring Insect Life Cycle Stage 3 + 4

Furniture Beetle - woodworm Most common wood boring insect in Ireland Usually only attacks sapwood of both soft and hardwood Larva is white and bores for approximately 3 years Adult beetle emerges in June or July about 2.5mm long

Powder Post Beetle Attacks sapwood of hardwoods during or after seasoning Larva are small and white Beetle is reddish brown in colour and is about 4mm long

Deathwatch Beetle Not found in Ireland often Attacks damp timber which is usually embedded in walls Larva is small and white Adult beetle emerges in June, July or August about 5mm long

Treatment of infected wood Remove any badly damaged wood Brush or spray insecticide on all surfaces of infected wood Insecticide can also be injected into each hole to kill the larva in the wood

Marine Borers Are sea organisms that bore through wood, neither fungus or insect Shipworm and Gribble are the most common types Only attack wood submerged in seawater Shipworm can grow up to 250mm in length and 6mm in diameter Bore vigorously through wood eventually weakening and destroying it