Woodworm in oak beams

[Rosie]

I removed artex from some beams. I have found woodworm problems...I have wire brushed the loose off. Any idea how to tell if old or still active?. I will put a treatment on and then what? I read melted beeswax oil? Any help appreciated.

 

[88v8]

Hello, you are having fun.

Vacuum the surface with a dusting brush. Check the worm holes are clean. Over the next week or so look carefully at the holes, see if any new wood dust is emerging.
If not, it's dead.
Woodworm is active in damp wood. If yours is dry, unlikely to be a problem.

Recent discussion:
http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=15316&p=210641&hilit=woodworm#p210641

Recent thread on how to beautify
http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=15357

Ivor

 

[Matt Green]

If it was covered in Artex it wasn't active. A coating of wax will highlight any newly emerging beetles, I doubt there would be very many.

No need to worry, have a cup of tea and a biscuit.

 

[GPHouse]

Hi

As the others said - if it's dry it;s probably OK. I've gone though a very steep learning curve on this front recently. I've had severe common and death watch infestations.

Product wise I;ve been using Sovereign Chemicals stuff. It's pretty good by all accounts.

I'm using the F/I as the spray on stuff I've uncovered.
On beam ends where it;s going to be covered I'm using the Deep Kill Paste.

You may also want to inject depending on the severity of infection.... but it could get messy....

Treating ASAP is best, they typically emerge from the holes April-August time - I'm using a paper test so I can clearly see new emergences (attach paper to the beam to see if hole are bored through).

Treatment after, I am going to was similar to yourself as this was recommended, but obviously if you need to re-treat at any point this can complicate things as you'll have limited absorbtion... but thats a problem for some time WAY in the future if you treat it right and keep timbers dry.

G

 

[MatthewC]

have a cup of tea and a biscuit.

You mean a KitKat or two

(just getting that in before Penners comes along...)

 

[Rosie]

Thanks a lot for the advice.

 

[bennoa1]

I've used Boron powder mixed with water in a garden sprayer. You need to keep the room vacated for a while, say 24 hours. And wear a mask and safety googles.

 

[Lime]

If it was covered in Artex it wasn't active. A coating of wax will highlight any newly emerging beetles, I doubt there would be very many.

No need to worry, have a cup of tea and a biscuit.

I completely agree.
I think treating it is completely unnecessary.
If the "infestation" has been under paint and the wood is dry it will be dead and will not suddenly explode to eat every other piece of wood in the house.

 

[Toby Newell]

Add my name to the 'you are probably ok' list.

Common furniture beetles don't like low humidity, if everything is dry and you can't see any fresh frass you are ok.