Woodworms – The Definitive Wood Foe

Sunbathing woodworm… - source mapio.net

When talking about wood preservation, the most frequent cause for treatment and considered to be one of the most complicated would have to be on how to defeat woodworms. These scary insects not only bore in to the wood but lay eggs inside. They start a whole cycle where a larva emerges to be a one destructive wooden beetle. Think of it as a cycle which keeps on repeating over and over again on your different wooden panels, doors, fixtures, and other wooden elements.

Basically, there are three kinds of woodworms that are prevalent on the list of culprits, and they can penetrate in to everything from your ceilings, wooden floorings, and practically any type of wooden items inside. They are the regular beetle, the Death watch beetle, and the long horn beetle.

Damages left over by wood pest including woodworms - source bristolandwestpreservations.co.uk

The method to treat woodworm will depend on the type as well as the extent of damage done to your property. If the woodworm infestation is only relatively at the initial stage, then it will be probable to treat the issue with topical application of preservatives and chemicals. On the other hand, the most complicated damage will need deeper penetrating applications and strong chemicals. However, exact application should be strictly followed and the product will naturally come in a paste or gel to be able to reach the deepest grain of wood.

For bigger, wooden elements, it may be required to specify which regions have been totally or partially affected and need treatment. This is because of the fact that the treatment is not a trial and error type. That would be a total waste of money. In cases of large woodworm damage, it is probable to sound out the bigger voids or weak regions with the use of a hammer or other boring tools which will give way for the workers to apply the said preservative in just the right place.

Application of different treatment for woodworm with practically any type of wood preservative will need that the house be cleaned and vacated for at least one whole day afterwards, and practically when we say  evacuation, meaning, all of you. You have to abide by the safety parameters to make sure that caring for your wooden elements does not mean putting your own health at risk.

These types of pests will need serious treatment and these pests are wise in their own way. You might think that after a single treatment, all of them will be swiped away. You may be wrong. There are woodworms, especially larger ones that play immortal and stay inside your wooden elements. Specialized treatments and application are needed for this type.

At the end of the day, your peace of mind and the safety and health of your family members is at stake. So, there is nothing wrong in consulting pest control expert to address and assess your impending issue at home. Care for your wood, care for your family. After all, you are doing this for each of them.

For any type of wooden construction make sure your material is free from any kind of pests by pre treating them. Natural products are available such as Freemite.
Other solution such as ironwood are a great option for a fully natural construction and the peace of mind that woodpests will not come and destroy your “precious”.

Finish your wood with flair and care – part 2

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The patina and character of naturally eroded reclaimed ulin boards weather by the sun and rain over many years

Let me just go on the record by saying that it is tricky trying to work out what to finish timber with, and this is particularly so for the novice and environmentally conscious. The more I look into it and think I understand, the wider the field expands! Wood finishing is a highly complicated and somewhat scientific field. What works for one species is not necessarily the best product for another. Sometimes the best decision is NOT to finish the wood, like this naturally eroded Ulin board on the left which has a beautiful patina on the surface from years of being walked on. It has been finished by body oils seeping out through the soles of people’s feet and into the wood.

But generally speaking, for outdoor applications in particular, finishing wood is a good idea. It helps provide protection against the sun’s harmful rays and the rain. Let’s start with a little guidance. Last time we looked at the different types of wood finishes available. Pretty much all types of wood finishes fit into 4 broad classes: oil, wax, varnish and pigments. This issue surveys some higher-quality products available in Indonesia that you won’t find in your local building supplies shop.

Beeswax Food Grade Wood Polish

Manufacturer: Bio Colours
Made in: Indonesia (Yogyakarta)
Made from: Beeswax
More Info: www.bio-industries.com
Description: Food-grade wax suitable for finishing wood products that will come into contact with food.

Bio Polish Linseed Oil–Beeswax Polish

Manufacturer: Bio Colours
Made in: Indonesia (Yogyakarta)
Made from: Linseed oil & beeswax
More Info: www.bio-industries.com
Description: A natural product free from solvents. Made from linseed oil and beeswax. Apply directly on wood surface.

Bona Oil 45 (dry solids 45%)
Technical data

Manufacturer: Bona
Made in: Germany, Sweden, North America and China.
Made from: Esterified pine oil
Supplier: Little Tree Green Building Centre, Jl Sunset 1232, Bali
Description: For untreated wooden floors exposed to normal or heavy wear. Matt surface finish with lustre, longer drying time.
Made from: Pine oil base

Bona Oil 90 (dry solids 90%)
Technical data

Manufacturer: Bona
Made in: Germany, Sweden, North America and China.
Made from: Pine oil base
Supplier: Little Tree Green Building Centre, Jl Sunset 1232, Bali
Description: For untreated wooden floors exposed to normal or heavy wear. Finish is a matt surface with a lustre.

Deck Oil
Technical data

Manufacturer: Bona
Made in: Germany, Sweden, North America and China.
Made from: Esterified pine and linseed oil
Supplier: Little Tree Green Building Centre, Jl Sunset 1232
Description: Bona Deck oil is a hardening & penetrating oil designed for protection of exterior wooden deckings. It is based on pine and linseed oil and contains additives that reduce the effects of UV-radiation on the wood.

Linseed Oil

Manufacturer: Repackaged by Little Tree
Made in: Imported product
Made from: Oil extracted from flaxseed
Description: Linseed oil is a natural finish oil which polymerizes into a solid form, dries quickly, and is used to produce linoleum flooring and paints, and for waterproofing wooden surfboards.

Tung Oil

Manufacturer: Repackaged by Little Tree
Made in: Imported product
Made from: 100% pure cold pressed tung nut oil
Description: Tung oil is an extract from the seeds of the tung tree which when applied to paints and coatings polymerizes into a waterproof coating.

 

Exterior Decking Oil

Manufacturer: WOCA
Made in: Denmark
Made from: vegetable oil components
More info: Bima Radji, PT. Bhakti Artika Lestari balbali@indosat.net.id
Description: For new and newly cleaned wooden decks. Protects against UV-rays and ensures a hard-wearing and water-resistant surface.

 

Outdoor Wood Oil

Manufacturer: WOCA
Made in: Made in: Denmark
Made from: vegetable oil components
More info: Bima Radji, PT. Bhakti Artika Lestari balbali@indosat.net.id
Transparent primer for outdoor wood. Protects against UV-rays and ensures a hard-wearing and water-resistant surface.

Exterior Furniture Oil (Natural)

Manufacturer: WOCA
Made in: Denmark
Made from: vegetable oil components
More info: Bima Radji, PT. Bhakti Artika Lestari balbali@indosat.net.id
For new and newly cleaned exterior furniture. Protects against UV-rays and ensures a hard-wearing and water-repellent surface.