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The Spotlight Kid
Senior Member
360 Posts |
 Posted - 09 Oct 2007 : 16:01:33
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I've been asked to quote for a job where woodworm is in two large exposed oak beams in the ceiling. I'm told thay are active although any frass that may have fallen out of the holes has obviously already been cleared up. Some of the holes do look a bit powdery inside though. The house is actually full of these beams and all have woodworm holes of different ages with no visible signs of current infestation ?
Before quoting I intend to read up on both the pests and treatments as this is an area of pest control that I currently have little practical experience with.
My main questions are:
1) Is there an easy way of verifying whether the other beams with holes have active pests present? (I have tried tapping to see if powder falls out)
2) Would you remove carpet and floor-boards in bedroom above to check for holes? and to what extent would you widen your search/treatment area beyond the main beams?
3) What sort of choice of pesticides do we have and how are these best applied (sprayed, injected, brushed)?
4) Bearing in mind that the larvae can remain in the timber for three years, is there an optimum time of year to carry out the treatment and would repeat treatments be necessary?
5) What length guarantee is realistic for this type of treatment?
I think that's all the questions for now so if anyone has done any domestic woodworm treatment please let me know how you got on and what tips you have to pass on.
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Dusty
Hyperactive Member
Australia
570 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2007 : 10:03:37
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Spot. Simple,cheap masking tape. Cover a good area with masking tape and look for exit holes in the tape over the next month
JAFA
Don't feed them, get Rid of them - visit us on www.ridpest.com.au |
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Dog-rat
Senior Member
United Kingdom
116 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2007 : 10:53:31
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Mate
If I were you I would leave it to a timber pres co, most guarantees need to be Insurance bonded. if its oak it would also be hard to get any penetration of fluid into the beams, my advice steer clear |
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Dusty
Hyperactive Member
Australia
570 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2007 : 13:22:14
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Odd that UK pesties generally steer clear of borers in general and Anobium punctatum specifically.
Part of the stock in trade in OZ and fully covered within our insurance.
Most of us carry out Timber Pest Inspections and this covers borer damage/activity as well as timber decay,delignification and termites. Although termites are not a UK problem, timber decay and borer damage are. Nothing to greatly fear, another string to the bow and more importantly, a better bank balance.Surely it merits some consideration, or is this another area like licencing;wont ever happen???
JAFA
Don't feed them, get Rid of them - visit us on www.ridpest.com.au
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Edited by - Dusty on 10 Oct 2007 13:25:44 |
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Bob Staines
Senior Member
Botswana
186 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2007 : 16:32:22
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Surely it merits some consideration, or is this another area like licencing;wont ever happen???
sorry, i tend to agree with dog rat.
this is a specialist area and with my limited knowledge of building structures........... i would confidently treat in a chest of drawers though lol.
dusty, why do you find it odd that uk pesties leave woodworm in buildings to specialist companies ?
i do very well thank you very much and dont need hassle of timber treatments with smelly chemicals, extra insurance and possibly training.
whats your concern with uk licencing?
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vermincontrol
Senior Member
United Kingdom
209 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2007 : 18:56:27
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Hi i agree with dograt and Bob on this subject, leave it for the people that specialise in wood boring insects, this is an area that can cost you a lot of maoney if you get it wrong and the guys that specialise tend to give one heck of a guarantee, the sort that you and i could not.
Best walk away. I had to walk away from a lovely powderpost beetle job a few weeks ago, but it proved to be the best move i could make.
Steve
Steve
It Has 2 Be Done Pest Control
www.ithas2bedone.co.uk
www.wetreatblackmould.co.uk
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The Spotlight Kid
Senior Member
360 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2007 : 22:34:24
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Dusty, thanks for that but would you expect any activity this time of year, I assumed that the adults chewed their way out in Spring/early Summer? If this is the case then I would suggest that optimum treatment time would be Spring with a residual insecticide. Perhaps repeating annually each Spring for a couple of years? The beams have been varnished which seems to be the biggest problem.
Customer seems to think that the beams were treated when they first moved in four years ago so she will look out details.
Thanks Bob and Steve, I used to share the view that this is a specialist area but now I think, why should it be? It is just another insect pest that causes damage, just as some leave moles, rabbits or squirrels to the specialists. We are probably as well qualified as any to understand the life-cycle of the four or five main wood-borers and treat with pesticides available from our regular suppliers. I understand what you mean though, we should only do what we are happy or confident to do especially if there is enough other work |
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Dusty
Hyperactive Member
Australia
570 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2007 : 22:55:18
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Bob, you may do very well, but reading other forums, many, and I repeat MANY operators are not able to survive on pest control alone.
I dont suggest that you become involved in "tenting" entire homes and structures, but borers are insect pests, and there is an opportunity to derive an income from inspection, identification and some eradication.
Still, if continued learning and aquiring new skills is a bother, and you are happy to deal only with seasonal pests, so be it
I have no problem with UK PC licencing. You have none to bother about
The essence of my comment is that I find it odd that an opportunity is there to derive additional income from a genuine insect problem that doesnt seem to be taken up. There is little to fear in offering services to inspect, identify and carry out some treatment.
As treatments do not last forever, and furniture beetle (specifically)can re-infest, only short term warranties (if any) are offered.
JAFA
Don't feed them, get Rid of them - visit us on www.ridpest.com.au |
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andyb
Senior Member
United Kingdom
266 Posts |
Posted - 11 Oct 2007 : 09:05:20
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It would be interesting to see the comments if the timber treatment companies asked for information regarding control of rodents and other insect species..
ANDY B
www.abcomplete.co.uk |
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Dusty
Hyperactive Member
Australia
570 Posts |
Posted - 11 Oct 2007 : 10:35:24
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Andy, all those who merely want to remain rat catchers would probably scream to the high heavens
The question I ask is, are these timber treatment companies treating insect pests?
Rentokil in Oz is one of the large firms that tent homes for borer and drywood termite treatments
JAFA
Don't feed them, get Rid of them - visit us on www.ridpest.com.au |
Edited by - Dusty on 11 Oct 2007 10:48:37 |
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Bigbully
Member
United Kingdom
65 Posts |
Posted - 11 Oct 2007 : 12:37:27
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| Dusty, I think that it is fair to say that Timber Preservation Co's in the UK do deal with wood borers and do so almost exclusively. The world of pest control was split up in 1986 with the Control of Pesticides Regs. It defines the type of pest control that probably most users of this forum would recognise as their bread and butter as "public hygiene" pest control and also classifies other areas such as horticultural/agricultural and (I think from memory)timber preservation. Alongside this the Regs require minimum competencies. Those of use working in "Public Hygiene" merely have to show that we have been "adequately trained". Other sectors such as those mentioned above require specific qualification to demonstrate competence. Long-winded way of saying that just because insects are being treated it does not mean that it is the "good old-fashioned" pestie that will be able to do it - unless, of course, they have certification in these additional areas. |
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Dusty
Hyperactive Member
Australia
570 Posts |
Posted - 11 Oct 2007 : 14:13:29
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Thanks Bully. I suspected something along those lines.
It is difficult to equate Oz PC system with that of UK, as we deal with all insect pests in the hygeine and domestic situation. Our compulsory training units cover all those insects and situations.No choice in the matter, and we wind up understanding the insect and qualified to deal with it. We then select the jobs that suit us best. Tarping is out of the realms of most pesties as the up front cost of around $100,000.00 in equipment tends to put a dampener on such work. However, few would shy away from applying pesticides to eliminate borers from a localised area within a house or furniture. Commonly found in older pianos here, and have done a few over the years.
Virtually all PC's here carryout timber pest inspections and borers are just another component of those inspections. No treatment required, just the ability to recognise the pest species
JAFA
Don't feed them, get Rid of them - visit us on www.ridpest.com.au |
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Woodworm quote
