Wood Borers

Wood borers are a group of insects that damage wood by tunnelling into it. They can cause significant damage to buildings, trees, and other wooden structures.

Wood borers are often attracted to weakened or decaying wood. They can enter buildings through cracks and crevices, or by tunnelling through the exterior walls. Once inside, wood borers can cause extensive damage to structural timbers, furniture, and other wooden items.

Identifying wood borer infestations can be challenging as they often operate within the wood, hidden from sight. However, there are certain signs to watch for, such as tunnels, frass (sawdust-like debris), and exit holes.

Species

Powderpost Beetles

Powderpost Beetles are major wood borer pests in Australia, targeting hardwoods with high starch content. Its larvae feed on starch and cellulose, reducing wood to a fine, powdery dust. Adult beetles are small (2-5 mm), reddish-brown to black, and lay eggs in the wood’s pores. Damage is often unnoticed until severe, affecting flooring, furniture, and structural timbers. Prevention includes using kiln-dried or treated wood and applying protective coatings to stop beetle infestations.

Common Furniture Beetle

The Common Furniture Beetle is a wood-boring insect in Australia that primarily targets softwoods like pine and spruce but also infests structural timbers. These small, brown beetles (2.5-4.5 mm) have larvae that tunnel through wood, creating galleries that weaken the timber. After laying eggs in wood crevices, larvae feed and eventually emerge as adults, leaving exit holes. The beetle causes internal wood damage and prefers moisture-weakened timber. Preventive measures include proper wood treatment with insecticides and reducing moisture to deter infestation.

Lesser Auger Beetle

The Lesser Auger Beetle is a serious wood-boring pest in Australia’s tropical and subtropical regions, attacking seasoned hardwood and softwood timbers, including stored timber, furniture, and structural wood. Adults are dark brown to black, cylindrical, and 4-8 mm long. Larvae feed on timber, causing internal damage, and create large exit holes as they mature. This beetle prefers dry, seasoned wood but can also infest weakened trees. Prevention involves proper timber drying and treatment, such as kiln drying, alongside regular inspections to detect and manage infestations early.

Wood-boring bees

Wood-boring bees, also known as carpenter bees, are solitary insects that burrow into wood to create nests. Unlike termites or beetles, they don’t feed on wood but carve tunnels into it to lay eggs. These bees prefer untreated or weathered softwood and often target decks, eaves, and fences. The damage is typically cosmetic, though over time, repeated nesting can weaken structures. Carpenter bees are large, ranging from 12 to 25 mm, with shiny black or metallic bodies. Prevention includes painting or treating wood to deter nesting.

Signs of a Wood Borer Infestation 

• Tunnels: Wood borers leave behind tunnels in the wood they infest.
• Frass: Wood borers produce frass, which is a fine powder that resembles sawdust.
• Holes: Wood borers may leave small holes in the wood they infest.
• Woodpecker damage: Woodpeckers may peck at wood that has been damaged by wood borers.

Problems Caused by Wood Borers 

• Structural damage: Wood borers can cause significant structural damage to buildings.
• Property damage: Wood borers can damage furniture, flooring, and other wooden items.
• Weakening of trees: Wood borers can weaken and kill trees.

Solutions

Preventative measures

Inspect your home regularly for signs of wood borer activity. Seal cracks and crevices in your home to prevent wood borers from entering.

Treatment

For infestations, contact a professional pest control service. They can identify the type of wood borer and recommend appropriate treatment methods.

Repair damage

Once the infestation is under control, any structural damage caused by the wood borers will need to be repaired.

How BUGZOFF Can Manage Wood Borers

At BUGZOFF, we offer comprehensive wood borer control solutions tailored to your specific needs. Our experienced technicians will assess the extent of the infestation and develop a customised treatment plan. Our services include:

• Inspection and assessment: We will conduct a thorough inspection of your property to identify the type of wood borer and the extent of the infestation.
• Targeted treatments: We will use effective treatments to eliminate wood borers and prevent future infestations.
• Preventive measures: We can help you take steps to prevent future wood borer infestations.