Anobium Borers

Anobium borers; also called Furniture Beetles or, Anobium punctatum are often sighted while conducting our Pre-purchase Pest Inspections, we receive many calls from people wondering just what they are, and the kind of damage they cause. Here is some information that may assist you.

Assuming the report was commissioned as a pre-purchase inspection, you can expect to see wording along the lines of: Yes - Anobium borer damage was noted to the following timber(s)/area(s). Without destruction of the timbers it is not possible to determine whether activity exists or the extent of timber damage within.

The report should then list the areas and the severity of the timber damage. Depending on the location it may not be possible to chemically treat the timbers. If borer activity is present or if the level of damage is considered significant, timber replacement may be necessary.

The borer is a major pest species and attacks the sapwood of softwood species of timber particularly in older houses with damp flooring timbers. The beetle is also often found in furniture of various timbers.

The tell tale signs are the small exit holes and dust emitted from the exit holes in the timber. Severely infested timber has a honeycombed appearance and the frass is fine and gritty. The larva cause most of the damage.

Increasingly in most minor cases Permethrin insecticide is used to treat the beetle due to its low toxicity and its ability to penetrate into the timber grain. The Permethrin insecticide application will kill the adult beetle as it emerges from the timber, provided the beetle has contact with the treated surface. In moderate infestations, the application of a registered insecticide to the underside of the flooring on an annual basis over a three year period to cover the life cycle of the Anobium borer. In severe cases, replacement of all damaged and infested timber with highly resistant or chemically treated timber is recommended. Improvements in subfloor ventilation may also be recommended.

We hope this has given you a better understanding of the Anobium Borer, as always you can call or email us to obtain further information.