We only treat Wood Borer in certain areas. Contact us on 0875 502 498
For business customers contact us on +27 875 502 497
We are only able to provide wood borer treatments in Johannesburg and Cape Town. We fumigate wooden items on our premises, and containers and silo's on your premises. If you're situated in any other part of South Africa, we can advise you on local service providers that will be able to assist in performing wood borer control solutions.
Here are some helpful facts about Wood Borers:
If you don’t have specialist Wood Borer control the larvae can seriously weaken the timbers in a building. If left untreated, this may lead to structural failure of timbers.
If you are situated in the Western Cape or Gauteng and you think you might need professional Wood Borer control, call Rentokil free on +27875502498 to arrange an appointment.
FACT: The Deathwatch Beetle makes a 'ticking' sound inside wooden timbers. Occupants of medieval sick rooms often heard this sound whilst keeping watch over the dead and dying, hence the name.
A wood borer (often called woodworm) refers to the larvae of wood boring beetles that tunnel through structural timber and furniture. These larvae feed on wood cellulose from the inside out for years, weakening timber integrity before emerging as adult beetles through small exit holes.
Learning how to get rid of wood borer effectively requires targeted professional intervention. Standard wood borer treatment involves applying specialized insecticidal timber fluids or deep-penetrating pastes. Severe, widespread infestations in structural timbers or timber furniture may require professional woodworm treatment via container or tent fumigation.
Common wood borer species South Africa encounters include the powder post beetle, common furniture beetle, and house longhorn beetle. Each species targets specific timber types, ranging from hardwoods to softwoods, and requires specialized professional treatment to protect structural building components and wooden furnishings.
Yes, severe wood borer damage can compromise structural stability. Unchecked infestations lead to weakened borer in roof beams, floor joists, and structural supports, resulting in costly repairs. They also destroy antique items and borer in furniture, causing internal crumbling and permanent timber decay.
Key signs of wood borer include small, round woodworm holes in timber surfaces and fine borer dust (frass) accumulating below affected areas. You may also notice crumbling wood edges, weak floorboards, or adult beetles emerging from timber during warmer spring and summer months.
To prevent wood borer infestations, keep indoor humidity low and seal untreated timber surfaces with varnish, paint, or wax. To protect timber from borer attacks, avoid bringing uninspected antique furniture or untreated firewood indoors, as adult beetles easily lay eggs in unsealed wooden crevices.
Wood borers are not directly dangerous to human health, as they do not bite, sting, or spread diseases. Regarding wood borer pets concerns, the risk comes from chemical applications, but professional treatments use regulated insecticides that are completely safe once dry.
