Only 8 months into a 400 year old timber framed building and so much to learn. Tap,tap tapping at night from the woodwork above the bed. Internet search suggests we have the Death watch beetle so tomorrow will be evidence-finding. Meantime, my searches have found many offers for extermination, but equal numbers of expense without result. Do any of the forum experts have an opinion, as I am learning it is better to live with a small colony but manage the environment closely which will keep them in check. Keep all timbers dry and fix leaks immediately. Spiders which we used to send down the vacuum cleaner seem now to be allies in the beetle-larva hunt being their only true predator. Any suggestions gratefully received. Skip.
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88v8
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Think you're on the right track.
Discussed variously on the Forum, eg here
https://www.periodproperty.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13868&p=190262&hilit=death+watch#p190262
You've reason to be concerned - I have a pair of garage doors with an infestation, I unwrapped them after three years in storage to find the bottoms have been turned to sawdust, and the tell-tale huge exit holes all over.
But yes, they dislike dry wood.
If you catch any, you might like to see if they can be added to this list
https://edibug.wordpress.com/list-of-edible-insects/
Ivor
Discussed variously on the Forum, eg here
https://www.periodproperty.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13868&p=190262&hilit=death+watch#p190262
You've reason to be concerned - I have a pair of garage doors with an infestation, I unwrapped them after three years in storage to find the bottoms have been turned to sawdust, and the tell-tale huge exit holes all over.
But yes, they dislike dry wood.
If you catch any, you might like to see if they can be added to this list
https://edibug.wordpress.com/list-of-edible-insects/
Ivor
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You're quite right that the tap-tapping is very probably deathwatch beetle. The sound is the creature's invitation for sex. How you respond is, of course, entirely a matter between you and the beetle.
Ivor has pointed you towards a useful earlier thread on this little beastie.
Ivor has pointed you towards a useful earlier thread on this little beastie.