Also known as Hylotrupes Bajulus, a house longhorn beetle is a type of woodworm that is native to the United Kingdom. Nonetheless, while its origin can be traced from the European region, it is also a rampant pest in different countries all over the globe. Amongst the many parts of the UK, it is most prevalent in is Surrey, which is the reason why it is also sometimes aptly named the Camberley Beetle. (Camberley being a town in Surrey).
Characteristics of the House Longhorn Beetle
Commonly thriving in the basement and damp surfaces, the house longhorn beetle is usually 8 to 25 millimetres long and can either be brown or black. Another commonly recognisable feature is the two black spots found on the thorax, which can be possibly mistaken as its eyes. Most of the signs of the infestation of this woodworm can be seen on fir, spruce, and pine, among other common types of softwood. During the summer season, they can fly freely, hence they can easily spread from one area to another. The growth in the number of this woodworm can also be attributed to the changing weather conditions.
Methods of Control
In order to protect the basement and other areas of the house from the infestation that can be possibly caused by this wood-boring insect, it is paramount to execute the necessary control measures. One of the best things that can be done is to control the moisture of the wood. You can avoid placing wooden materials or using such material in house construction if it is going to be exposed, as being damp can encourage growth, not only of house longhorn beetle, but of other pests as well. You can also use surface covers and mechanical removal. Obviously this can prove difficult to arrange, though, so there are also insecticide treatment options that can prove to be promising. (Regarding these, of course, there are risks that are involved because of the possible contamination from toxic ingredients.
At the end of the day, the best thing that can be done to get rid of this kind of woodworm is through the help of a company that is experienced in dealing with such. So if spot treatments do not prove to be effective, you can resort to fumigation. While this can indeed be a promising solution, the problem is that it can be complicated and expensive. Also, it should be done only by someone who has a license to execute the said treatment procedure. To be assured of its effectiveness, you should take time to choose the right pest control company and make sure they have a valid license to operate and they should have been given favourable feedbacks by their clients in the past. With their help, your basement and other parts of the house can be spared from further damage.
You may wish to visit our page to learn more about other types of woodworm beetle and find out more about our woodworm treatment solutions. Or if you would like more help and guidance regarding woodworm simply give us a call on 0808 273 2138. Alternatively you could fill out our online contact form and one of our woodworm specialists will visit and inspect your property.
