Death watch beetle

Inform Guide: Insect Attack to Timber, published on 22 January 2016 by Historic Scotland states in relation to the death watch beetle: ‘This beetle is uncommon in Scotland but can still be found on occasion. This species can be identified by the larger holes which they leave in timber (around 3mm in diameter). It attacks wood that has experienced some form of decay or rot in the past. As with the furniture beetle, it is the larvae which cause damage, and they can exist in that stage for as long as 10 years. They are particularly prone to attack built-in sections of timber where ventilation is poor and can thus remain undetected for some time. An extensive infestation can cause structural failure in timber.’

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

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• Powder post beetle.
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• Roofing defects.
• Timber preservation.
• Timber.
• Wood-boring weevil.
• Woodworm and spiders.
• Woodworm.