A wood borer is a beetle that spends most of its life burrowing into and devouring wood. A wood borer’s life begins when a female beetle lays eggs, which are typically found within the wood itself – such as in cracks or previous borer tunnels – or on the surface. So when larvae hatch, they swiftly burrow into the wood.
When the larvae transform into beetles and are ready to leave the wood, they dig a trail and fly away, leaving exit holes on the ground. In most cases, this will be your first encounter with them. Unfortunately, it’s usually too late by this time, and the wood has been damaged. While furniture and wooden structures in older homes are common targets, each wood-boring beetle species is unique and has varied feeding habits. This means that a given form of wood borer will frequently attack only certain types of wood.
What are the symptoms of a wood borer infestation?
Wood borers are small, brown beetles that typically infest the wood of trees. They are usually found in the soil and feed on wood by cutting through it, which causes rot and decay. Wood borer infestation is one of the most common problems in homes. The signs that a wood borer is infesting a home can be challenging to identify, but there are some signs to tell if you have a wood borer infestation.
Signs that a wood borer is infesting a home include:
– Presence of holes in the walls or furniture made by borers
– Odours near or under furniture
– Wood chips, sawdust, bark, or similar debris on walls, ceilings, or floors
– Excessive scratching around doors, windows, and other openings in walls
– Signs of insect activity near or under furniture
– Damage to flooring, wall insulation, and structural timbers
If you see this, you should contact a professional pest company to help you get rid of the wood borer before it has time to make more sawdust in your home.
What are the most common methods to prevent and control a wood borer infestation?
Allowing a wood borer infestation to persist might result in severe structural damage. So here are some common methods to prevent and control wood borers infestation.
Determine the infestation’s type:
Finding out if the infestation is still active should be the first item on your to-do list. There may still be woodworms burrowing within if you notice a white, powdery substance that does not cluster together around a wooden item. However, if the powder is yellow and clumpy, the larvae have most likely grown into beetles and left their childhood habitat long ago.
Select the appropriate treatment:
The best way to get rid of ongoing infestations is to treat the wood, as you need to remove the larvae from the inside. Wood that is painted or sealed, however, needs to be stripped before it can be treated. It is also recommended that you use an insecticide if you have adult beetles. Once you determine that the infestation is no longer active and there are no eggs to be found, you have two options – either seal the wood or replace it. If it’s furniture, then by treating furniture with a borate-based product, you can eliminate borers and prevent them from attacking the wood again.
Call a pest control specialist:
If you don’t want to deal with wood borer pest treatment on your own or aren’t sure what you’re up against, it’s best to hire an expert. A pest control specialist is a person who has expertise in pest removal services. They are experts in eliminating pests and have extensive knowledge of how these pests have different preferences. They can treat your home for various other pest infestations, like cockroach infestation, termite infestation, bed bugs infestation and more. They help prevent infestations from spreading by using the most effective methods based on what pest is troubling you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What causes wood borers to infest a property?
A. There are various factors that lead to the infestation of wood borers, including the availability of food sources, moisture levels and temperature. They can infest a property in just one night, so it is important to take immediate action when you see any signs of borers.
Q. What should I do if I find a wood borer in my house?
A. If you find a wood borer in your house, the first thing that you should do is try to kill it with boiling water or by using chemicals such as insecticides. If this doesn’t work, then the best option would be to call an exterminator and ask them how they would get rid of the problem for good.
Q. How do you avoid pest infestation?
A. Pest infestation can be caused by a number of reasons, such as an unclean home or yard, improper sanitation, and too much food. The best way to avoid pest infestation is to know the signs of each and every pests.
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