How to Kill Wood Borers

The name wood-boring beetle is used to describe about a dozen beetle species that are known for destroying wood in residences, similarly to termites. Wood-boring beetles are often referred to by the name of wood borers. Some examples of wood-boring beetles are bostrichid, buprestidae, anobiid and lyctid powderpost beetles. If you notice an infestation of wood-borers in your home, it is important to take the appropriate measures to manage the problem.

Insecticide

Freezer

Use an insecticide. Seek out an unrestricted disodium octaborate tetrahydrate insecticide if possible - many other types of insecticides can only be used by licensed professionals. Spray the product onto wood throughout your home. Apply two coats, and make sure to put the second on before the first is dry. The technique can help destroy adult woodborers rather than larval ones, as it can attack those on the top surface of the wood. Make sure to take any paint or surface covering off before starting the process. This permits the product to go all the way through the wood.

Use a freezer. If you possess a walk-in freezer that is big enough to insert small pieces of furniture, attempt to kill the wood-borers in this way. Place a wooden table in the freezer, for example. The frigid temperatures can easily destroy the insects after roughly seven days. Before putting the furniture in the freezer, encase it snugly in plastic. Once you take the furniture out, allow it to remain wrapped up until it reverts back to room temperature to stop water marks from occurring.

Call a professional for pest control. Seek assistance if your home infestation is too extreme for you to handle alone. Pest control operators can utilize restricted insecticides such as cypermethrin, cyfluthrin and permethrin. Be aware, however, that fumigation of a residence can sometimes be extremely pricey. Fumigation can be particularly effective if the amount of wood-borers is particularly high. To control costs, consult a professional on the possibility of inserting moderately-sized wooden furnishings within fumigation chambers, as well.

Treat infested furniture with heat. If you want to get rid of wood-borers without chemical assistance, use heat. For a minimum of two hours, keep your wooden furniture at between 140 to 150 degrees F.

Eliminate wood that is infested by wood-borers. If you own any damaged wood that cannot be salvaged, bring it to a local landfill or get rid of it by burning it.

Try to prevent wood-borers from becoming a problem before they ever show up. If your yard is home to any dead tree branches, get rid of them by burning them as soon as possible. Also, protect furniture against the possibility of infestation by closing up any holes or cracks with varnish or paint. This can prevent the insects from finding a place to lay eggs.