Habitat:
General sapwood and heartwood of partially decayed hardwoods, chiefly oak.
Solid
Timber:
Often found in historic buildings where large quantities of oak or elm used
structurally. Softwoods rarely attacked except when in contact with infested
hardwood. Dampness essential for establishment and promotes rapid development,
although attack can continue, albeit slowly in drier timber. Found particularly
in areas prone to dampness - wall plates, ends of floor joists, lintels and
other concealed bearing ends of timbers inserted into damp walls. In conjunction
with fungus, may hollow out the centre of large section beams.
Tunnels: Circular 3 mm diameter, often extensive, random orientation, mainly in the direction of the grain.
Bore Dust: Cream-coloured, disc-shaped pellets gritty when rubbed between fingers.
Remedial treatment: Organic-solvent or paste; use pressure injection or gravity feed application to large, well-infested impermeable timbers. Inspect all structural timbers, replace or support any showing structural weakening; take measures to reduce dampness.
Insect characteristics and location:
Adult: 6-9 mm long, curved, pale cream; patches of yellow hairs; similar shape to Dermestids but slightly different antennae and thorax. Found on or beneath timbers, March-June particularly in warm weather when they may be heard tapping.
Larva: Up to 9 mm long, pale cream; three pairs of small legs; covered in fine gold hairs can be confused with bark borer beetle. Found within timber all year round but may be located deep within large sized timbers. Occasionally fall from severely damaged wood and are found on the area beneath.
