Habitat:
Decayed softwoods and hardwoods in damp conditions - such as poorly ventilated
ground floor timbers in contact with damp, solid floors or walls. Damage secondary
to fungal decay. Also attacks plywood in these conditions.
Damage
characteristics:
Emergence holes: Small, ragged, about 1 mm diameter.
Tunnels: Numerous, normally in the direction of the grain, often break through to wood surface.
Bore dust: Fine, granular.
Remedial
treatment:
No insecticidal treatment required. Remove source of dampness and dry out
sound timber; replace decayed timber. Infestation of sound dry wood not possible.
Insect
characteristics and location:
Adult: 3-5 mm long, brownish-black; distinctive long
snout; antennae one third distance long snout. Found in or around infested
wood, all year round. May migrate in large numbers into rooms adjacent to
damage, particularly during summer months or if drying takes place.
Larva: Up to 4 mm long, curved, pale cream; no legs. Found in infested wood all year round.
