Your Local Wellington Experts for Borer Treatment.
At Total Pest Control, we provide expert borer treatment in Wellington to help protect your home, investment property or commerical proprety from long-term damage. Every property is different, so we use a combination of methods depending on access, the level of infestation and your concerns to treat you proprety.
Our Process For Borer Control
Inspection
Get in Touch - Fill out the online form or give us a call to speak with one of our technicians and book a site visit. We usually respond within 12 hours.
Free inspection – We’ll check the subfloor, roof space, all rooms, and the exterior of your property. Checking the conditions, severtiy etc Photos are taken for records, and you’re welcome to follow us around, ask questions, or raise any concerns.
Treatment Plan & Quote – Within a couple of days, we’ll review your property details (access, level of infestation, timber type, and best treatment options). You’ll receive:A written report on the current situation with photo evidence A recommended treatment plan with timeframes (see our treatments below), health & safety details, and a 10-year protection strategy.A no-obligation quote, free of charge.
Treatment
Booking - Once you’re happy with the plan, we’ll book you in (usually within 5 working days). Depending on the infestation, you may need to vacate the house and turn off the power for a few hours. Our technicians will carry out the treatment thoroughly while keeping you updated throughout the process.
Our Treatments
Standard Treatedment - We apply two coats of a specialised treatment to all exposed timbers. This soaks deep into the wood, killing active borer, destroying larvae, and protecting against new infestations. In good conditions, this treatment can last up to 10 years.
Injection Treatments - For severe or localised infestations, our technicians drill small holes into the timber and inject insecticide directly inside. This method penetrates the timber slowly, reaching hidden larvae and eliminating borer from within.
Replacement of Damaged Timber - If timber has been heavily damaged and is no longer structurally sound, we recommend replacing it with new, treated timber. This ensures your property remains safe and protected against future infestations.
Moisture Conrol & Ventilation - Borer are attracted to damp, untreated timber. During our inspection, if we find excess moisture or poor ventilation in your subfloor, we may recommend improving airflow, repairing leaks, or applying a preservative. These steps create a healthier environment for your timbers and help prevent reinfestation.
Monitoring & Maintenance - Unfortunately, no pest treatment provides a lifetime guarantee. That’s why we recommend ongoing monitoring and routine maintenance of your timbers to ensure they remain protected. We can provide a tailored maintenance plan and quote to keep your home in top condition.For full health and safety details regarding all treatments, click here
Monitoring
Monitoring - Ongoing monitoring is included in the price. We’ll return for follow-up visits every few years (depending on severity) to ensure the borer population remains under control.Our Borer Treatments in WellingtonAt Total Pest Control, we use a range of effective borer treatment methods to protect your property. The right solution depends on the level of infestation, timber condition, and property access. Here are some of the treatments we may recommend
Everything to Know About Borer
1. Common House Borer (Anobium punctatum)
- Smaller and brown in appearance.
- Commonly found indoors in timber such as door frames, skirting boards, and floorboards.
- Leaves flight holes between 2-4mm wide and produces tiny piles of sawdust as a sign of activity.
2. Two-Toothed Longhorn Borer (Ambeodontus tristis)
- Native to New Zealand and significantly larger than the house borer.
- Produces flight holes up to 7mm wide.
- More often found in living trees than in homes, causing significant damage to their host.
Understanding Borer
There are seven species of borer in New Zealand, but these two are the most problematic.
- Lifecycle: Female borers lay up to 100 eggs on bare timber surfaces or inside old borer holes. The eggs hatch after 4-5 weeks, and the larvae burrow into the wood, feeding for up to four years (or even up to 11 years in the case of the Two-Toothed Longhorn Borer). The larvae then pupate and emerge as adults, leaving distinctive holes behind.
- Seasonality: Adult borers typically emerge between November and March to mate, restarting the cycle.
- Preferred Conditions: Borer are attracted to damp, untreated, or softwood timber. They often infest the south-facing sides of buildings or floor timbers prone to moisture. Some woods, like macrocarpa, are naturally resistant to borer if kept dry.
Why Treat Borer?
Borer infestations can compromise the structural integrity of your home or damage valuable timber features. Left untreated, they can spread and worsen over time. Prompt treatment not only stops current infestations but also prevents future damage.
Prevention Tips
- Treat exposed timber promptly and keep it dry.
- Use naturally borer-resistant woods like macrocarpa for construction or repairs.
- Regularly inspect your property for signs of infestation, particularly in damp or south-facing areas.
Don’t let borer compromise the safety and beauty of your home. Contact us today for expert advice and tailored borer control solutions.