Woodworm

I made a bench-seat out of a large cypress log. It's finished and will go to its new owner in a couple of weeks. I've noticed a hole that constantly has little balls of dust? coming out. I presume this is woodworm. If this is the case any suggestions on how to treat it. The wood came from a local small mill in Melbourne South East.

Thanks

I guess heat treatment in a dry kiln is the only option.

It is pin-hole borer (Lyctid borer). Traditionally such items had to be fumigated to get rid of the borer, which is very dangerous for many timbers. Usually occurs in sapwood of many species, but often not the heartwood. What kind of cypress is it? I thought that Australian Cypress species were resistant to Lyctid borers and to termites. Sometimes it is a sign the timber is green/wet. I recently saw it in an English Elm seat that had been out in the weather.

I'm not expert on this and advise that you consult your local Forestry office for best practice treatment. It may be possible to kill the borer by saturating the timber with metho snd sealing all surfaces with shellac or one of the penetrating oils (depending on what surface finish you have used.

I won't allow any timber with Lyctid borer in my house or shed.

David

If it wasn't already finished I'd suggest bagging it for a few weeks with a bowl of ammonia or a suitable fumigant. But Ammonia fuming would significantly darken the colour of the timber.

Go to your local vet and buy a size 22 syringe needle and plunger, then go and buy yourself some liquid insecticide. Inject the insecticide into the hole. It's more than likely you'll puncture the maggot, but it's also possible that there's more than one in the hole(s)?

Thanks for the replies.
A woody mate gave me this stuff which I've been injecting into the holes, seems to be working.

Attachment 463222

Well, permethrin. (a synthetic pyrethrin/daisy chemical) will kill most insects but is not necessarily a permanent cure. That class of chemical is, fortunately (but not proven) to be low toxicity to humans. However, it is not persistent. Saturate the timber with shellac or Danish Oil. No insect will take that on.