Wood Borer Treatment for Masiphumelele homes and businesses

Masiphumelele, or Masi as most people call it, sits on Kommetjie Road beside the Noordhoek wetlands. It's a dense community where formal houses, backyard rooms and informal structures stand close together, so pests spread quickly from one home to the next.

Timber pests in Masiphumelele: what we see

Wooden informal structures can pick up wood borer, particularly second-hand planks and poles. The brick homes in the formal section seldom have trouble.

There are brick houses and flats in the formal part, surrounded by informal homes built from timber and corrugated iron. Shared walls, narrow lanes and limited storage space make it hard to keep food sealed, which draws rodents and cockroaches. Informal structures on low ground can be flooded in winter, pushing rats into drier homes.

Rats, cockroaches and mosquitoes are the most common pests. Bed bugs and fleas are a frequent issue in crowded rooms. Flies increase around waste points in summer.

From the technician

When we go into a roof, the first thing we look at is the condition of the wall plates and the bottom of the trusses, because damp spots there attract borer.

What gives them away

1. Small round or oval exit holes in timber, furniture or floorboards.
2. Timber that breaks easily and shows a network of tunnels inside.
3. Fine powder, called frass, building up under wooden items or on the floor below roof timbers.
4. Faint scratching or ticking sounds from roof timbers on quiet nights.
5. Floorboards that feel soft or crumble at the edges when you press on them.

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.

Keeping them out afterwards

• 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.
• Use treated timber for any roofing, decking or building work, and check the treatment marks on it.
• If you are buying or selling, book the beetle inspection early so it does not delay the transfer.
• Have the roof timbers looked at every few years in an older house.

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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