Imizamo Yethu Wood Borer Treatment

Imizamo Yethu climbs the slope above the Hout Bay valley, with homes packed closely together on the hillside. Rats, cockroaches and flies are the everyday pests, and the steep ground makes stormwater and refuse a constant challenge.

The local picture in Imizamo Yethu

Timber used in informal structures can carry borer and termites, though it is usually replaced before it becomes a big problem. Brick homes with pine roof trusses can be checked if you are worried.

The area is a mix of informal structures built from zinc and timber, brick houses and some newer formal housing projects lower down. Homes are very close together, often sharing walls or sitting just a metre apart. Gaps in zinc and timber walls let rodents in easily, and they move quickly from one home to the next.

Tell-tale signs

1. Adult beetles found on windowsills or near lights in late spring and summer.
2. Timber that breaks easily and shows a network of tunnels inside.
3. A beetle inspection for a property transfer has flagged activity.
4. Faint scratching or ticking sounds from roof timbers on quiet nights.

From the technician

The European house borer is notifiable in the Western Cape. If we find it, it gets reported and treated properly, which is better for you in the long run.

The mistake people make is filling the holes with wood filler and polishing over them. The larvae are inside the wood, not in the holes.

How the treatment works

We start with an inspection to confirm the beetle species and whether the holes are active or old, because old damage does not need treating. Exposed timber such as roof trusses, beams and floor joists is treated with a residual borer spray that penetrates the surface and kills emerging beetles and young larvae. Where the wood is thick or the infestation is deep, we inject product directly into the flight holes and drilled galleries. Badly weakened timber should be replaced by a builder, and we tell you which pieces are past saving. Valuable furniture can be sealed and fumigated instead.

1. Inspection

   We check the roof space, floors and timber features with good lighting and probe suspect wood.

2. Identify the beetle

   We confirm the species from the holes, frass and any beetles found, and report European house borer where required.

3. Mark the damage

   Active areas are mapped, and any structurally weak timber is noted for replacement.

4. Spray and inject

   Exposed timber is sprayed and heavily infested pieces are injected through the exit holes.

5. Report and certificate

   You get a written report, and where needed a Certificate of Compliance for the property transfer.

Stopping a repeat visit

• Use treated timber for any roofing, decking or building work, and check the treatment marks on it.
• Have the roof timbers looked at every few years in an older house.
• If you are buying or selling, book the beetle inspection early so it does not delay the transfer.
• Keep the roof space ventilated and fix leaks quickly, since damp timber attracts borer.
• Check second-hand furniture for holes and fresh powder before you bring it home.

How much will it cost?

The price depends on how much timber needs treating, how easy the roof space is to get into and which beetle we are dealing with. A single piece of furniture is a very different job to a full roof of trusses. Injection work, replacement advice and certificates for transfers are all included in a free quote once we have seen the property.

Adult beetles emerge mainly from late spring through summer, roughly October to February in Cape Town, which is when fresh holes and powder show up. That is the best time to spot an active problem, but treatment can be done all year round.

Frequently asked questions

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