Help: Permethrin versus boron woodworm treatment and DIY versus professional

sivyer2081

We have recently moved into a house and have subsequently found woodworm holes and lifting the floorboard (we have no carpets and very little furniture) they have started attacking one of the joists downstairs. But only in one small patch from what I can see it is mainly confined to the dining room but there is some evidence of woodworm up in the bedrooms but not in hallway or lounge (seems a bit strange).

I know it's active because upon lifting one of the floor boards I caught two larvae (little !!!!!!s, white bodies with a brown head and around 1cm in length).

I am debating whether to tackle the problem myself or get someone in to do it professionally. Does anyone have any advice?

From what I've read all they will do is spray the joists not the floorboards with permethrin and that this is likely to cost me around £1000.

In which case I'm thinking it's easier for me to do it myself. From what I've seen boron based products look to be the safest to use but I'm wondering if anyone knows how effective it is at treating woodworm compared with permethrin (but this has been shown in some studies to cause cancer....I know most things can cause cancer, but if boron is just as effective it seems best)?

Any advice would be very much appreciated so I can get rid of the !!!!!!s!!!! :beer:

Thanks.

Norman_Castle

I've used this http://www.rentokil.co.uk/residential-customers/diy-pest-control-products/woodworm-products/woodworm-treatment-fluid/ successfully in the past.

Rotor

I'm currently using this on some barn timbers I'm reusing.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DIY-WOODWORM-DIP-SPRAY-SACHET-WOOD-WORM-INSECTICIDE-KILLER-TREATMENT-NEW-/110816025447?pt=UK_BOI_Building_Materials_Supplies_Carpentry_Woodwork_ET&hash=item19cd265b67#ht_1959wt_1018

I'll let you know in 25 years wether it's good or not.
However, there are very few active ingredients available ; this makes a 1% permethrin solution when diluted in 25 litres of water which is the same as more expensive branded treatments

sivyer2081

Does any body know about the effectiveness of permethrin versus boron based treatment?

ctis

Dear Home Owner,

Boron based products are the safest to use and have passed the relevant European Tests for effectiveness -

BS EN 49-1&2:2005 - Anobium punctatum
BS EN 47:2005 - Hylotrupes bajulus
BS EN 20-1:1992 - Lyctus brunneus


Permethrin and Cypermethrin are neuro toxins and act by paralysing all insects so they cannot breathe. Boron based products are Biostats - they only affect wood borers because they stop them from benefiting from their food (your wood) by disabling an enzyme in the gut.


Boron Ultra 12 in water at 5% has no hazards to humans, no vapour, no smell and a 1 hour re-entry time.


To find out more, or to carry out the work yourself (which is perfectly safe) call me on 01626 331351 for professional, unbiased advice.


David
Damp and Timber Building Surveyor