Carcoma (Anobides)
(anobides) This group of insects is vulgarily known as “carcoma”. It is a family that is found throughout the world and includes many species that cause damage to wood, of which one of the most important is Anobium Puntatum (common furniture beetle) that attacks the wood sap of hardwoods and conifers and also the heartwood when it begins to putrefy even if it is very weak.
..< More information
The common carcoma is usually chocolate brown in colour between 2-6mm long, covered in a series of dotted lines.
They have a cycle of metamorphasis (egg – larvae – adult). They tend to come out of the wood between may and August. They live for almost a month and the pregnant females lay the eggs (between 20 and 50 per medium termite) on the rough surfaces of the wood, on broken wood and also on old exit orifices. After 4-5 weeks, the small white arched larvae hatch from the eggs and penetrate the wood, perforating galleries and producing grainy dry sawdust, the holes tend to measure between 1.5 and 2mm in diameter.
Known as the common carcoma of wood and artwork, it originates from the cold North of Europe and has spread all over the world. Its presence is usual in museums, churches, homes and dark spaces as a temperature of around 20ºC is favourable to them and they seek out these spots to lay their eggs.
The “attacks” only take place in the albumen or when there is imminent wood rot. The most harmful kind is the larvae, as these feed on the wood and it’s components. It is popular belief that the insect enters the wood, however in reality it is the opposite, and only when it exits is it adult.
The larvae can remain many years (the cycle can last form a few weeks to 10 years) feeding on the wood and behind one small hole in the wood there can be a multitude of galleries, a product of the larva feeding throughout the years.
Another interesting Anobide is the Xestobium rufovillosum which is the biggest carcoma in this family.
To obtain good results when attempting to eliminate the carcoma, the treatment must be efficient, therefore SEDESA proposes a treatment by injection, applying the anti carcoma product in the existing holes as a curing treatment, to get rid of the larva that may be inside the wood or piece to be treated. Once the product has been injected we continue with another pesticide with lasting results, to prevent and protect the furniture against future attacks. Another treatment would be to treat the furniture or piece in controlled atmosphere, or in a gas chamber.
If you have any doubts or wish to receive more information, get in contact with us.
