1. Insect Attack

2. Insect Attack Insects attack wood for food
Insects spend most of their time inside the wood
In general, the life cycle of wood boring insects is the same

3. Wood Boring Insect Life Cycle – Stage 1 + 2

4. Wood Boring Insect Life Cycle Stage 3 + 4

5. Furniture Beetle - woodworm
Most common wood boring insect in Ireland
Usually only attacks sapwood of both soft and hardwood
Larva is white and bores for approximately 3 years
Adult beetle emerges in June or July about 2.5mm long

6. Powder Post Beetle
Attacks sapwood of hardwoods during or after seasoning
Larva are small and white
Beetle is reddish brown in colour and is about 4mm long

7. Deathwatch Beetle Not found in Ireland often
Attacks damp timber which is usually embedded in walls
Larva is small and white
Adult beetle emerges in June, July or August about 5mm long

8. Treatment of infected wood
Remove any badly damaged wood
Brush or spray insecticide on all surfaces of infected wood
Insecticide can also be injected into each hole to kill the larva in the wood

9. Marine Borers
Are sea organisms that bore through wood, neither fungus or insect
Shipworm and Gribble are the most common types
Only attack wood submerged in seawater
Shipworm can grow up to 250mm in length and 6mm in diameter
Bore vigorously through wood eventually weakening and destroying it