Borer is a significant issue in New Zealand, capable of rendering houses structurally unsound and ruining the appearance of beautiful timber finishes. These beetles feed on timber, particularly untreated wood, and can be found in structural timber within homes as well as in trees. Early detection and treatment are crucial to preventing extensive damage.

Common Types of Borer in New Zealand

1. Common House Borer (Anobium punctatum)

• Smaller and brown in appearance.
• Commonly found indoors in timber such as door frames, skirting boards, and floorboards.
• Leaves flight holes between 2-4mm wide and produces tiny piles of sawdust as a sign of activity.

2. Two-Toothed Longhorn Borer (Ambeodontus tristis)

• Native to New Zealand and significantly larger than the house borer.
• Produces flight holes up to 7mm wide.
• More often found in living trees than in homes, causing significant damage to their host.

Understanding Borer

There are seven species of borer in New Zealand, but these two are the most problematic.

• Lifecycle: Female borers lay up to 100 eggs on bare timber surfaces or inside old borer holes. The eggs hatch after 4-5 weeks, and the larvae burrow into the wood, feeding for up to four years (or even up to 11 years in the case of the Two-Toothed Longhorn Borer). The larvae then pupate and emerge as adults, leaving distinctive holes behind.
• Seasonality: Adult borers typically emerge between November and March to mate, restarting the cycle.
• Preferred Conditions: Borer are attracted to damp, untreated, or softwood timber. They often infest the south-facing sides of buildings or floor timbers prone to moisture. Some woods, like macrocarpa, are naturally resistant to borer if kept dry.

Why Treat Borer?

Borer infestations can compromise the structural integrity of your home or damage valuable timber features. Left untreated, they can spread and worsen over time. Prompt treatment not only stops current infestations but also prevents future damage.

Our Approach to Borer Control

At Total Pest Control, we take a practical and thorough approach to treating borer infestations:

1. Inspection: We assess the extent of the infestation and identify the affected timber.
2. Treatment: For accessible areas, we spray or inject a specialized borer treatment into the visible holes. For hard-to-reach areas, we use fumigators, especially during the mating season (October to March) when adults emerge.‍
3. Repair: If the timber is excessively damaged, we recommend replacing the affected sections.

Prevention Tips

• Treat exposed timber promptly and keep it dry.
• Use naturally borer-resistant woods like macrocarpa for construction or repairs.
• Regularly inspect your property for signs of infestation, particularly in damp or south-facing areas.

Don’t let borer compromise the safety and beauty of your home. Contact us today for expert advice and tailored borer control solutions.

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