Hello, bees moved into our attic this summer and built a nest. They have eaten quite a bit on the rafters. What can I use to repair this? I don't think the load-bearing capacity has been significantly affected, but I would still like to have something that blends with the wood and strengthens it, if possible. Chemical wood, wood filler? The beams are over 100 years old (if that matters).
Homeowner
· Småländska höglandet
· 5 655 posts
Images? Are you sure it's bees and not wasps?
That is neither car nor wasps. There have been larvae there under the bark over 100 years ago.
I can't see anything related to bees or wasps either. It doesn't even seem to be any attacks that affect load-bearing capacity, only such larvae that eat just under the bark when the timber was recently felled. If you see many oval entry holes leading into the timber, it's potentially dangerous, but it can be treated if the infestation hasn't gone too far.
Homeowner
· Småländska höglandet
· 5 655 posts
I wouldn't blame that on wasps. It's more likely some other type of wood-borer or something similar. Have you noticed if the tunnels and wood dust from them are recent, or is it a much older infestation? When these little pests attack dead wood, it's almost always because the wood is already damaged by moisture, rot, or fungus. They can also attack living trees, like the notorious spruce bark beetle and its relatives, which are examples of beetles that do so.
In any case, the insulation should not be placed directly against the roof decking (if that's what we're seeing); there should be an air gap in between.
In any case, the insulation should not be placed directly against the roof decking (if that's what we're seeing); there should be an air gap in between.
Interesting, I went up and removed the wasp nest and just assumed it was them munching away – where else would they get their building material from? The wood on these chewed beams is also lighter than the others, which also led me to think it happened recently. How can you tell it's not wasps, do they have different eating patterns?
Anyway, would it have helped to paint the beams to prevent future attacks?
PS. The insulation is on the ceiling, should be okay, right?
They may have possibly chewed a bit on the surface to get wood fibers for the nest, but nothing that affects the load-bearing capacity. Wasps or bees do not eat deeply.
Since it is a round stock, it is a pure heartwood piece and slightly cracked, not a board from the sapwood. It is extremely strong. There is a small beetle that lays eggs under the bark and the larvae gnaw there. Then when the bark falls off, they disappear and do not return. Such infestations, if you can call them that, exist on basically anything that is a log with the bark still on and is used in joists.
There is about zero risk for infestation there as long as you don't have any damage to the wood for other reasons (like a roof leak)T Tobyk_75 said:
Greater risk that painting could be potentially bad if you use the wrong paint in an old house designed to breathe.