Bugs and insects in the house?

wood protection

The larvae of wood pests are commonly known as woodworm. The name is derived from the worm-like appearance of the insect larvae, which pierce wood and feed on it. They are called house longhorn beetles, sapwood beetles, common or multicolored nail beetles and live in various types of wood in roof trusses, floor and ceiling constructions, stairs, furniture or other wooden objects.

An infestation of woodworms often remains undetected for years. It is particularly dangerous when load-bearing beams are affected. The resulting holes in the wood weaken the load-bearing capacity and substance of the wood. Houses are thus threatened with collapse. Through their feeding activity, woodworms cause millions in damage to existing buildings every year.

In addition, woodworm does not stop at works of art and antiques, historic church organs, which are often lost as cultural treasures due to complete destruction. Many architects, church, museum and culture managers as well as homeowners, monument conservators and restorers are aware of this problem and are therefore looking for effective, reliable solutions.

House longhorn

Hylotrupes bajulus

Appearance:

Adult size 2-3 mm. Oval dimples in the pronotum. Black-brown coloration. Cannot fly (coverts fused together). Proboscis.

Larva: pupates in the grains. No legs. Mostly attacks wheat and rye, but also other cereals.

Reproduction:

At 30 ºC development in 30 days, usually in 8-16 weeks. Can also develop at 11 ºC.

Way of life:

Grain pest. Hatched grain weevils leave a characteristic exit hole in the grain.

If you have any questions, please call us on 055 533 53 53 or send us an e-mail
info@sf-insectcontrol.ch

Sapwood beetle

Lyctus brunneus

Appearance:

The sapwood beetle reaches a length of approx. 5 mm. It is reddish-brown and has a narrow, relatively flat body. The larvae of the sapwood beetle are whitish beige and grow up to 6 mm long

Reproduction:

The female sapwood beetle lays between 30 and 50 eggs in the fibers of hardwoods. However, the eggs are only laid where the starch content of the wood is high enough to ensure that the larvae can feed.
The larvae then hatch after approx. 1 to 2 weeks and pupate in 2 to 4 weeks. They live directly underneath the tree bark. Adult sapwood beetles bite through the wood bark and thus reach the outside between June and August.
The life cycle of the sapwood beetle is between 4 and 10 years.

Way of life:

Of the four life stages that the sapwood beetle goes through, it causes the most damage in the larval stage. It bores through imported and hardwoods for about 1 to 2 years, leaving tunnels in the wood.
The sapwood beetle is often found at timber merchants or importers. It is also responsible for damage to wood used by humans, such as furniture, sports equipment, wooden floors or facades.

Death Clock

Anobium punctatum

Appearance:

Adult 5-7 mm in size. Dark reddish brown with yellowish, scale-like hair dots on pronotum and elytra.
Larva: 10 mm. Creamy white, hooked, with upright golden yellow hairs and dark brown mandibles on the head.

Reproduction:

3-4 eggs are laid in the cracks of wooden surfaces. Eggs whitish, oval. Hatch after 2 to 5 weeks.
Larva causes most damage as it bores through wood for 5 to 10 years.
Larva pupates just before it emerges from the wood. Between March and June, the finished insect eats through the surface of the wood and leaves behind a characteristic flight hole.

Way of life:

Lives in deadwood of various deciduous tree species that has been weakened by fungal infestation.
In buildings it is found almost exclusively in old hardwood, especially in large oak beams.

Common nail beetle (woodworm)

Appearance

• The nail beetle is 3 to 5 mm long and has a compact, oval shape.
• The common nail beetle is usually dark brown, occasionally lighter or black-brown. The pointed, upwardly curved neck shield is pulled over the head like a hood. The head is hidden underneath (fireman’s helmet). The elytra have longitudinal, clearly protruding rows of dots.

Reproduction

• In total, the female nail beetle lays between 20 and 30 eggs. These approximately 0.3 mm long eggs are laid individually or in clutches in cracks. After about 2 to 3 weeks, the young larvae hatch, which bore into the wood and live there for about 2 to 4 years.
• The optimum temperature for the larvae is between 22°C and 23°C, the optimum wood humidity is 30%.
• After a two- to four-week pupal period, the beetles hatch and leave the wood through circular boreholes, expelling fine drill dust.

Lifestyle

• As a destroyer of works of art, furniture, musical instruments and everyday objects, the common nail beetle is one of the most important wood pests.