Manage Other Pests
Other Timber Pests A timber Pest Inspection performed by your PestCare technician will meet or exceed the Australian Standard 4349.3 that means that at PestCare we don´t only inspect your home for termites, we also inspect it, and report on other timber destroying pests including borers and fungal decay (wood rot)
Borers Borers of Seasoned Timber: Borers are the larvae of various species of beetles. The adult beetles lay their eggs within the timber. The eggs hatch out into larvae (grubs) which bore through the timber and can cause significant structural damage. The larvae may reside totally concealed within the timber for a period of several years before passing into a dormant pupal stage.
Within the pupal case they metamorphose (change) into the adult beetle which cuts a hole in the outer surface of the timber to emerge, mate and lay further eggs to continue the cycle. It is only through the presence of these emergence holes, and the frass formed when the beetles cut the exit holes that their presence can be detected.
Borers of "green" Unseasoned Timber: Borers of "green" unseasoned timber may also be present. However these species will naturally die out as the timbers dry out in service. Whilst some emergent holes may occur in a new property it would be unusual for such a borer to cause structural damage, though the exit holes may be unsightly.
|  | Anobium borer (furniture beetle) and Queensland pine Borer: These beetles are responsible for instances of flooring collapse, often triggered by a heavy object being placed on the floor (or a persons stepping in the affected area!). Pine timbers are favoured by this beetle and, while the sapwood is preferred, the heartwood is also sometimes attacked. Attack by this beetle is usually observed in timbers that have been in service for 10-20 years or more and mostly involves flooring and timber wall panelling. The frass from the flight holes (faeces and chewed wood) is fine and gritty. Wood attacked by these borers is often honeycombed.
Lyctus borer (powder post beetle): These borers only attack the sapwood of certain susceptible species of hardwood timber. Since it is a requirement that structural timbers contain no more than 25% Lyctus susceptible sapwood these borers are not normally associated with structural damage. Replacement of affected timbers is not recommended and treatment is not approved. Where decorative timbers are affected the emergent holes may be considered unsightly in which case timber replacement is the only option. Powder post beetles mostly attack during the first 6-12 months of service life of timber. |  |
As only the sapwood is destroyed, larger dimensional timbers (such as rafters, bearers and joists) in a house are seldom weakened significantly to cause collapse. In small dimensional timbers (such as tiling and ceiling battens) the sapwood may be extensive, and its destruction may result in collapse. Replacement of these timbers is the only option available.
Timber Decay Fungi The fruiting bodies of wood decay fungi vary in size, shape and colour. The type of fungi encountered by pest controllers usually reside in poorly ventilated subfloors, below wet areas of the home, exterior timbers and in areas that retain water in the soil. The durability and the type of timbers are factors along with the temperature and environment. Destruction of affected timbers varies with the symptoms involved. Removal of the moisture source usually alleviates the problem. Fungal decay is attractive to termites and if the problem is not rectified it may well lead to further termite attack.
Mould Mildew and non wood decay fungi is commonly known as mould and is not considered a Timber Pest. However, Mould and their spores may cause health problems or allergic reactions such as asthma and dermatitis in some people.
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