THE WOODWORM

THE WOODWORM Imagine waking up to find your body covered in painful and itchy red spots and weals: those responsible could be wood mites or Sclerodoma (part of the Pyemote genus). In some cases, in particular for those with a predisposition to a bad reaction, a high enough number of stings can lead to anaphylactic shock. To eradicate them you need the correct treatments. The moment you eliminate the worms and mites there’s no further possibility of harm.

THE WOODWORM THE LIFE CYCLE:

The complete metamorphosis of woodworm is accomplished in three stages: the egg laid by the adult in the infested wood,  the larva that eats through the wood in some cases causing considerable aesthetic and/or structural damage and the adult, that does not cause any direct damage but completes the work of evacuating the larva infested site through the holes that are commonly found in the wood.

The most common signs of wooodworm infestation are the presence of holes in the wood together with the rosume (sawdust) of differing types depending on the insect and, usually, the appearance of holes that indicate that damage has already been caused.

THE WOODWORM THE MOST COMMON WOODWORMS:

Anobium punctatum – “furniture woodworm “ is the worm that infests mainly furniture, beams, frames, statues but also fabrics that have been in-situ for decades. The larvae grow in the wood, digging winding tunnels and producing a coarse sawdust mixed with excrement.  This species is particularly common in areas with a maritime climate and where there are high humidity conditions.  It is able to make use of  poor quality, seasoned and dry wood and indiscriminately attacks deciduous conifers.

Hylotrupes bajulus L. – ” House Capricorn” is a beetle that attacks wood in use, especially conifers and deciduous woods (spruce, fir, larch, Scots pine, oak, poplar, maple, willow and chestnut). This species prefers moderately elevated temperatures (28-30 ° C), such as those found inside the home or in the rafters of a roof. The larvae produce a very abundant and fine sawdust digging tunnels both straight and curvilinear. You can often hear their incessant activity especially at night and this makes them arguably the most annoying worms to humans .

Lyctus brunneus – “Common Powder Post Beetle” was accidentally introduced in Italy with the importation of tropical timbers and it prefers very porous wood with a moisture content of around 15% as in oak, maple, walnut and ash. The attacks are clearly visible and patchy larvae produce a fine sawdust.

THE WOODWORM House Capricorn

THE WOODWORM Furniture Woodworm

THE WOODWORM Common Powder Post

THE WOODWORM The Life Cycle

Pest control
techniques: