Wood borer treatment in Midrand starts by confirming that the holes and dust are beetle damage and that the beetles are still active. We inspect the timber, treat affected roof timbers, floors, furniture or outbuildings with registered products, and advise on when replacement or fumigation of furniture is the better option.
Wood borer in a young suburb
Most people think of wood borer as a problem in old Joburg homes with century-old floors, and Midrand is mostly much newer than that. But we still find plenty of it here. The older houses on the original plots and smallholdings often have pine roof timbers, timber ceilings and floors that are several decades old. Plots have timber stables, tack rooms, barns and fencing, much of it untreated. Newer homes are not immune either: wood borer arrives in second-hand and antique furniture, pine furniture bought at markets, imported timber items and reclaimed beams used for décor.
Signs of wood borer
- Small, round exit holes, about the size of a pinhead to a match head, in timber surfaces.
- Fine, powdery dust (frass) below the holes, on the floor, on furniture or on items stored in the roof.
- Fresh, pale dust and clean-edged holes, which mean the beetles are still active.
- Small beetles near windows in summer, when adults emerge to mate.
- Crumbly, weakened timber in heavily damaged areas.
Old holes with dark edges and no fresh dust may just be historical damage, which is why an inspection matters before you pay for treatment.
Wood borer or termites?
The two are often confused, and the treatment is completely different. Wood borer leaves neat, round exit holes and fine powder; the larvae live inside the timber for years and the adults fly out. Subterranean termites come up from the soil through mud tubes and hollow out timber from the inside, often leaving the surface looking almost untouched. On Midrand properties built on former veld, termites are actually the more common timber pest. If you see mud tubes or soft, hollow wood, read about termite treatment in Midrand, which carries a 5-year guarantee with a certificate.
How we treat wood borer
Inspection
We inspect roof timbers, floors, skirting, built-in cupboards, furniture and, on plots, outbuildings and stables. We check whether activity is current and how far the damage goes.
Treating structural timber
Affected roof timbers, floors and other exposed wood are treated with registered wood borer products applied to the surface and into the exit holes, so the product penetrates where larvae are feeding. Some timber may need to be sanded or have old finishes removed first so the treatment can soak in.
Furniture
Smaller affected pieces can often be treated directly. Valuable, heavily infested or hard-to-treat pieces may be better suited to fumigation with a registered fumigant; our page on fumigation in Johannesburg explains when that makes sense.
Structural advice
If timber is badly weakened, we tell you so you can have it assessed and replaced. Treating timber that can no longer bear a load is not a fix.
What people get wrong
Varnishing or painting over the holes. Larvae inside the wood keep feeding and simply chew new exit holes through the fresh finish next summer. Another common mistake is moving an infested piece of furniture into the house or onto a timber floor, where emerging beetles can lay eggs in new timber.
A Midrand tip
Before you bring second-hand or market-bought timber furniture into the house, check it in good light for small round holes and fine dust, especially on the underside, the backs and the inside of drawers. If you see fresh dust, keep it in the garage until it is treated.
What wood borer treatment costs, and why
The cost depends on how much timber is affected, whether it is structural timber, floors or furniture, how easy it is to reach, and whether fumigation is needed. A few affected roof timbers or a single piece of furniture is a modest job; a whole roof, a stable block or a large collection of furniture takes more time. Our guide prices in Johannesburg show where treatment starts, and this page shows its own "from" price. If the holes are old with no fresh dust, you may not need treatment at all.
We inspect timber in older homes from Halfway House Estate to the Kyalami plots. The same approach applies to wood borer in Fourways homes, and the wider picture is on wood borer treatment across Johannesburg. For other pests, see the Midrand pest control page.
Jason van Heerden owns and runs Combat Pest Control, bringing 25 years of experience. We are SAPCA registered and registered with the Department of Agriculture under Act 36, offer service within 24 hours, and give a 3-month guarantee on wood borer treatment. Call 084 200 2700, or WhatsApp us a photo of the holes and dust so we can tell whether it is active.
Questions we get asked
How much does wood borer treatment cost?
It depends on how much timber is affected, whether it is structural timber or furniture, how easy it is to reach and whether fumigation is needed. A few timbers or one piece of furniture costs much less than a whole roof. We quote after inspecting.
How do I know if wood borer is still active?
Look for fresh, pale powder under clean-edged holes, and new holes appearing. Old holes with dark edges and no new dust usually mean past damage.
Is it wood borer or termites?
Wood borer leaves small round holes and fine powder. Termite damage comes with earthen mud tubes and timber that sounds hollow. They are treated differently, so we confirm which one it is first.
Can wood borer spread to other furniture?
Yes. Adult beetles emerge, mate and lay eggs in other untreated timber nearby, so infested furniture should be treated or kept apart.
Do I need to move out for wood borer treatment?
No, not for normal treatment. Only fumigation of furniture or a sealed area requires that area to be empty until it is cleared.
Will painting over the holes stop wood borer?
No. Larvae inside keep feeding and chew new holes through the paint or varnish when they emerge.