Woodworm

[Don McDermott]

Hello again! While inspecting one of the oak boards I've purchased, I found that there a quite a few holes in the timber (DeWalt battery for scale). Now then, what should I do about this? I was hoping to use this for external boat planking. Thanks.

 

[Blackswanwood]

What is the moisture content of the wood and is it kiln or air dried?

 

[Mike G]

What is the moisture content of the wood and is it kiln or air dried?

This is unseasoned timber for boat building. Don is going to be stacking it to dry.

 

[Blackswanwood]

This is unseasoned timber for boat building. Don is going to be stacking it to dry.

Ah - I’d spray it all with this then …

Lignum Insecticide Pro I62.5 1L - makes 25 litres

Professional concentrated insecticide and woodworm treatment that eradicates and prevents attack by woodboring beetles and their larvae, commonly known as woodworm. The concentrate makes 25 litres of ready-to-use woodworm treatment.

www.permagard.co.uk

… and let nature take it’s course.

 

[Don McDermott]

Ah - I’d spray it all with this then …

Lignum Insecticide Pro I62.5 1L - makes 25 litres

Professional concentrated insecticide and woodworm treatment that eradicates and prevents attack by woodboring beetles and their larvae, commonly known as woodworm. The concentrate makes 25 litres of ready-to-use woodworm treatment.

www.permagard.co.uk

… and let nature take it’s course.

Brilliant, thanks for the advice. Thinking ahead, once I've applied it and am sure that there is no active woodworm, how would you all suggest dealing with the holes? I know some would say just smear some thickened epoxy in them, but personally I look for other alternatives before going to epoxy and I'd be interested in hearing other views.

 

[HdV]

If you are thinking of finishing the wood with something clear, then I'd go for cellocol mixed with sawdust from the same boards. For an open grained wood like oak I would apply a layer of shellak before finishing (but after filling the holes).

 

[Don McDermott]

Thanks. I should have said, the planks will be painted with bitumen, as this is a black-hulled trading wherry I'm building.

 

[Blackswanwood]

I’d have thought the bitumen will fill any holes.

It’s worth marking all the holes you can currently see now as this makes spotting any that emerge later easier. A pencil circle or dab with a sharpie pen for each hole will suffice. Any future holes will be exit holes when any remaining larvae who have avoided the pesticide turn to beetles and leave to breed. This usually happens when the weather warms up. They have to eat through the layer of wood that has absorbed the pesticide on the surface and so won’t be in any fit state to breed!

 

[Don McDermott]

@AJB Temple What's so funny?

 

[Don McDermott]

I’d have thought the bitumen will fill any holes.

It’s worth marking all the holes you can currently see now as this makes spotting any that emerge later easier. A pencil circle or dab with a sharpie pen for each hole will suffice. Any future holes will be exit holes when any remaining larvae who have avoided the pesticide turn to beetles and leave to breed. This usually happens when the weather warms up. They have to eat through the layer of wood that has absorbed the pesticide on the surface and so won’t be in any fit state to breed!

Thank you for all the advice Robert, much appreciated!

 

[meccarroll]

Why use perfrerated wood for boat building? It is likely the minor holes will swell if submerged and any infestation will not survive but why risk water ingress.

 

[Don McDermott]

Why use perfrerated wood for boat building? It is likely the minor holes will swell if submerged and any infestation will not survive but why risk water ingress.

If I can destroy the bugs and fill the holes, there's no problem. I don't have the money to just push a ton of planks aside, this project is costly enough without throwing pieces away. If I can fix the issue, that's the way I will go.

 

[AJB Temple]

If I can destroy the bugs and fill the holes, there's no problem. I don't have the money to just push a ton of planks aside, this project is costly enough without throwing pieces away. If I can fix the issue, that's the way I will go.

The reason why I laughed at this aspect before was not to make fun of you, but because of suggestions about shellac etc on the wood. Any bugs are already in there. Douse liberally in killer, using a syringe if necessary, and ring with a marker so you can spot new ones later. A few wood woodworm holes are inconsequential for this job as you will be coating the hull in tar. I would epoxy fill any holes first. Woodworm on thick planks does not penetrate both sides. Oak trees have worm. It's nature. Don't overthink it - the oak will be fine.

 

[Don McDermott]

The reason why I laughed at this aspect before was not to make fun of you, but because of suggestions about shellac etc on the wood. Any bugs are already in there. Douse liberally in killer, using a syringe if necessary, and ring with a marker so you can spot new ones later. A few wood woodworm holes are inconsequential for this job as you will be coating the hull in tar. I would epoxy fill any holes first. Woodworm on thick planks does not penetrate both sides. Oak trees have worm. It's nature. Don't overthink it - the oak will be fine.

Thanks. I've had no experience with woodworm before so I really do appreciate all the advice. I've begun dousing all the problem pieces with killer. Also, just a note on the YouTube - I get your comment about the music. It's a real challenge to put together a video that doesn't need music, but picking music is also a challenge because I have to use licenced music from Epidemic Sound, which limits me. I don't have an unending amount of time to listen to thousands of mediocre tracks trying to find the best stuff! I'm editing another video now and I've approached it with the idea of using no music. We will see how that turns out!

 

[HdV]

I suggested shellac. But, as I wrote, that was in case of clear coating. And only to fill the pores. Not to fill the wormholes. And no, not to kill the larvae either.

But the whole point was mote anyway, because later on I understood the wood was to be covered with bitumen. That information wasn't provided yet when I wrote my reply.