The common house borer

The common house borer is one of the most dangerous wood pests and can cause serious damage to buildings. In this article, you will learn how to recognise it, the stages of its development, the damage it causes, what it sounds like and the most effective methods of control. You will also discover why fumigation is one of the most effective methods of eliminating this pest.

The anatomy of the common woodworm

The anatomy of the common woodworm is a topic that allows for a thorough recognition of this dangerous wood pest. Adult woodworms reach a length of 8 to 25 mm, which, in combination with their slender and elongated silhouette, makes them relatively easy to recognise. The characteristics of the blindworm also include its body colour, which is dark brown to black, with a coat covered in fine, light hairs.

The head of the deathwatch beetle is angular, set deep in the torso, with large, clearly defined eyes. The antennae are long and thin, usually reaching the length of the entire body of the pest. The wings are well developed, and the wing covers are decorated with rows of small dots and longitudinal grooves. However, the most characteristic feature of the anatomy of the common spruce bark beetle are its legs – slender, long and well-suited for moving inside wooden structures. Understanding these characteristics of the spruce bark beetle is crucial for effective control.

The spruce bark beetle’s life cycle

The life cycle of the common woodlouse consists of several stages, which together last from a few months to a few years, depending on the environmental conditions. It all starts with an egg, which an adult female lays in cracks in the wood. After about two weeks, the eggs hatch into larvae, which are white and yellowish with darker heads. The larvae of the common woodworm feed on wood for a period of one to several years, creating complex corridors. It is during this stage that the woodworm causes the most damage, as the larvae feed on cellulose and lignin, which are the basic components of wood.

Once the larvae have reached maturity, they pupate, which takes between a few weeks and a few months. After that, the adult beetles appear, which are capable of reproducing and laying more eggs. Adult bark beetles live for a few weeks to a few months, mainly to reproduce and continue the bark beetle life cycle. The optimal development conditions for the common house longhorn beetle are temperatures between 22 and 30 degrees Celsius and wood moisture of 10 to 20%. Understanding these development stages of the common house longhorn beetle is crucial for developing effective methods of combating it.

Occurrence and damage caused by the common house longhorn beetle

The places where the common house longhorn beetle is found are mainly buildings with wooden structural elements. It is most commonly found in old houses, warehouses, barns and churches. The pest prefers coniferous wood such as pine, spruce or larch. Roof elements, ceiling beams, floors and other load-bearing structures are particularly vulnerable. The wood in which the woodworm develops can be either fresh or already dry, which makes it even more dangerous for any wooden structure.

The damage caused by the common spruce bark beetle is significant and can lead to serious structural damage to buildings. The larvae feed inside the wood, hollowing out corridors, causing the material to lose its strength and stability. In extreme cases, the structure may collapse. Signs of the presence of powderpost beetles include small holes in the wood and sawdust dust. Knowing where powderpost beetles are found and understanding the damage they cause is crucial for taking appropriate preventive and control measures.

Noises of powderpost beetles

The sound of powder-post beetles can be one of the first signs that these pests are present in wood. The characteristic sounds made by powder-post beetles are mainly a quiet scratching, scraping and scraping, which can often be heard at night when the building is quiet. These sounds are the result of the larvae’s activity as they chew their way through the wood, which can be heard especially near ceilings, beams or floors.

Recognising the sounds of the common woodworm can be crucial for the early detection and prevention of serious structural damage. Typical sounds made by the common woodworm include:

• a gentle scratching sound, which indicates the larvae’s movements inside the wood,
• scraping sound, which is the result of biting and consuming cellulose and lignin,
• a scraping sound, often heard during the quiet hours of the day or night, when the pest’s activity is at its highest.

If you hear these noises in your home, especially near wooden structures, it is worth conducting a thorough inspection to locate and control the common house longhorn beetle.

Methods of controlling the common house longhorn beetle

There are various methods of controlling the common spruce bark beetle, including chemical, physical and natural methods. The most effective chemical methods include the use of insecticides in the form of liquids, aerosols or powders, which penetrate the wood and destroy larvae and adults. Gasification, or fumigation, is also one of the most effective techniques because it allows for the complete elimination of the pest by reaching deep into the wood structure. Physical methods of controlling the common spruce bark beetle include thermal wood treatment, which involves heating the wood to a temperature above 56 degrees Celsius, effectively eliminating all stages of the pest.

Natural methods of eliminating the common wood borer include the use of biological plant protection products, such as entomopathogenic nematodes, which are safe for humans and the environment. Another effective solution is the use of mechanical barriers and pheromone traps, which attract adult specimens, limiting their ability to reproduce. Regardless of the method chosen, it is important to regularly monitor and inspect wooden structures to prevent serious damage. A comprehensive approach combining different techniques is the most effective way to eliminate the common spruce bark beetle and ensure long-term protection of wooden building components.

Gasification of the common spruce bark beetle – an effective method

Gasification is an extremely effective method of combating the common woodworm, especially in the case of advanced infestation. The method involves introducing specialised gases into the infected wood, which penetrate its entire structure, eliminating both adult individuals, as well as larvae and eggs. The process takes place in a sealed room, which ensures maximum effectiveness of the gases and minimises the risk of them spreading outside the treatment area.

The advantages of using the Cankerwood fumigation method include:

• effective elimination of all life stages of the wood-decaying fungi,
• ability to penetrate even the smallest cracks and passages in the wood,
• short treatment time compared to other methods,
• safe for building structures as the method does not damage the wood,
• no need to dismantle infected wooden elements.

Cyanide fumigation is particularly recommended in cases where other methods have proven insufficient or impossible to apply. Regular monitoring and inspection after the fumigation process helps prevent the resettlement of the common polypore fungus and ensures long-term protection of wooden structures.