Kings road - richmond - jan 23

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During refurbishment works to this eight bed, five floor Victorian period property the main contractor identified evidence of a beetle infestation and called DWP Membranes to complete a site survey. 

After a full survey of the property, multiple locations showed active woodworm infestation caused by the common furniture beetle (Anobium Punctatum). This beetle as the name suggests is found to be the cause in 80% of infestations and mainly feeds on the sapwood of soft woods.

We recommended to the main contractor that the worst of the infected timbers were removed and replaced as their structural integrity had been compromised. The infestation was found across most of the five floors, it was also recommended that a full surface spray of the whole house be completed.

As the main contractor was completing a full refurbishment of the property they had already planned on removing the finishes back to the main structure. This helped our team immensely, it allowed us to access the timberwork from different sides making sure the whole area was treated.

A dual purpose chemical insecticide, containing Permethrin as the active ingredient, was coarse sprayed onto the surface of all the timberwork . This not only kills on ingestion but also on contact, meaning when the adult beetles emerge (usually May-September)  they are also eradicated. 

To create minor disruption to the construction schedule and other operatives on site, we organized for our team to complete these works at the weekend. Although the product used is not highly toxic, whilst the treatment is being carried out an exclusion zone is mandatory.