ᐅ Wood pest inspection for old buildings: House longhorn beetle and woodworm
Created on: 28 Apr 2016 17:28
C
Cut1977
We are about to purchase a house built around the turn of the 20th century (1885-1915), and an inspector has identified pest infestation in the attic and on the cellar ceiling. Attic: softwood; cellar ceiling: oak beams.
Attic: moderate infestation of some rafters and purlins by the house longhorn beetle.
Cellar ceiling: sapwood area affected by the common furniture beetle. The beam ends are especially affected.
The report cannot completely rule out an active infestation, even though no traces of predatory insects hunting the larvae were found, nor any wood dust (frass). The report recommends using a splitting axe, hatchet, and chisel to remove the damaged wood. A severe deterioration of the beam ends is described, and all beams should be inspected. Reinforcement of the beams is advised.
On the other hand, a local pest control company’s offer states:
“Fresh feeding galleries and exit holes were found in the attic and ceiling beams. To prevent the infestation from spreading to the healthy wood, urgent treatment according to DIN 68800 Part 4 is recommended.”
Method: wood pressure injections with Adolit Anti Insect 0.02% permethrin.
Duration: 4 days. Estimated cost: about 5,000 euros.
Has anyone had experience with this type of infestation? Can anyone give advice on whether this treatment is worthwhile? We need to decide within the next few days if we want to buy the house and would greatly appreciate any help. If needed, I can provide more quotes from the inspection report and the offer. Thank you!
Attic: moderate infestation of some rafters and purlins by the house longhorn beetle.
Cellar ceiling: sapwood area affected by the common furniture beetle. The beam ends are especially affected.
The report cannot completely rule out an active infestation, even though no traces of predatory insects hunting the larvae were found, nor any wood dust (frass). The report recommends using a splitting axe, hatchet, and chisel to remove the damaged wood. A severe deterioration of the beam ends is described, and all beams should be inspected. Reinforcement of the beams is advised.
On the other hand, a local pest control company’s offer states:
“Fresh feeding galleries and exit holes were found in the attic and ceiling beams. To prevent the infestation from spreading to the healthy wood, urgent treatment according to DIN 68800 Part 4 is recommended.”
Method: wood pressure injections with Adolit Anti Insect 0.02% permethrin.
Duration: 4 days. Estimated cost: about 5,000 euros.
Has anyone had experience with this type of infestation? Can anyone give advice on whether this treatment is worthwhile? We need to decide within the next few days if we want to buy the house and would greatly appreciate any help. If needed, I can provide more quotes from the inspection report and the offer. Thank you!
This doesn’t look very promising for our house purchase... The house already has external insulation installed, and the laminate flooring in the living room appears new and well-maintained. We are wondering when these energy efficiency upgrades would need to be carried out. The energy performance certificate shows 224 kWh (natural gas). Could I perhaps send you (wpic) the report to take a look at?
You are welcome to do so. The renovation measures already carried out must, of course, be thoroughly inspected as well. The nice and well-maintained surface is secondary; what is more important is what lies beneath. An external insulation that results in a final energy consumption of 224 kWh/m²*a (72 BTU/ft²*yr) is basically ineffective and rather suggests a non-functional "alibi insulation." It would indeed be advisable to have a comprehensive purchase evaluation of this property conducted by a truly independent expert.