Deathwatch beetle

matty_hunt

Hi. Earlier in the year I started to hear a rapid ticking seemingly coming from the walls or ceiling. It was periodic and I forgot about it. This last week Ive heard it again. A bit of research suggests it Deathwatch beetle. I live in an 1880 terrace and my neighbour exports antique furniture picked up from auctions. (potential source?) Although the sound has moved, currently in kitchen ceiling, it has got quite loud. It does sound like there maybe only one, as I get one series of ticking's once every four seconds, from the same location. If it is only one ticking away, is this a cause for concern? If there were more, would they be making noise in different locations at the same time? Many thanks

NSG666

This might sound an odd question and I'm not meaning to treat you like an idiot but are you sure it's not the central heating pipes that are ticking as they heat and cool?

FreeBear

Might be worth spraying the loft area with a permethrin based insecticide - There are a number of products on the market, one at random - https://www.screwfix.com/p/sika-sikagard-woodworm-killer-clear-5ltr/56214

When spraying stuff like that around, you should wear a forced air respirator and appropriate PPE. Also keep pets & other animals well away from the area for at least 24 hours.

Any damp timbers ?

If so, fix the leaks and let the timbers dry out. Bugs like DWB & woodworm like moist timber to feed on. Solid dry timber is unpalatable and difficult for the grubs to munch through.

matty_hunt

NSG666 said:

This might sound an odd question and I'm not meaning to treat you like an idiot but are you sure it's not the central heating pipes that are ticking as they heat and cool?

Thanks. I do appreciate CH pipes can creak and click but, no, thats not the issue here.

matty_hunt

FreeBear said:

Might be worth spraying the loft area with a permethrin based insecticide - There are a number of products on the market, one at random - https://www.screwfix.com/p/sika-sikagard-woodworm-killer-clear-5ltr/56214

When spraying stuff like that around, you should wear a forced air respirator and appropriate PPE. Also keep pets & other animals well away from the area for at least 24 hours.

Any damp timbers ?

If so, fix the leaks and let the timbers dry out. Bugs like DWB & woodworm like moist timber to feed on. Solid dry timber is unpalatable and difficult for the grubs to munch through.

Thanks. Yes we have had some water issues in the past but I thought I had solved them all. It sound like its in the ceiling between ground and first floor. Looks like I may have to pull up the carpets and boards, a big job. Loft has been converted so no void or access to timbers.