I am considering making some shelves for CDs to put on the wall in our old house.
I was thinking of using some old floorboards or wall planks that have been in the barn to attach brackets to these. When I looked at some of them this morning, I noticed that some had small holes in them (like holes in an apple). One might think that there is woodworm in the wood.
My question is whether one can still use such an old board? Or if the woodworm, if it still lives in the plank, would make its way into the walls of the main house? Would it be enough to just saw off the part with the wormhole?
It would be really fun to reuse the old material from the house instead of buying a new shelf/plank for brackets...
Grateful for any answers
/Torparkillen
I was thinking of using some old floorboards or wall planks that have been in the barn to attach brackets to these. When I looked at some of them this morning, I noticed that some had small holes in them (like holes in an apple). One might think that there is woodworm in the wood.
My question is whether one can still use such an old board? Or if the woodworm, if it still lives in the plank, would make its way into the walls of the main house? Would it be enough to just saw off the part with the wormhole?
It would be really fun to reuse the old material from the house instead of buying a new shelf/plank for brackets...
Grateful for any answers
/Torparkillen
Building conservationist
· 3 509 posts
Ideally, you should know what kind of wormholes they are and if they are active. Is there wood flour coming out of them?
Here you can read about wood-boring insects:
http://www.anticimex.se/default.asp?objectid=90
Most likely, it's the striped wood-boring beetle that is at work. If that's the case, and if the residence you are referring to is a year-round dwelling that is constantly heated, then there's no harm in bringing the board into the house. Even if there might still be worms in the board, they cannot live and reproduce in dry wood. It only lives in wood with a certain moisture level.
However, if it's a summer cottage that remains unheated in the winter, then I wouldn't bring such a board inside!
Here you can read about wood-boring insects:
http://www.anticimex.se/default.asp?objectid=90
Most likely, it's the striped wood-boring beetle that is at work. If that's the case, and if the residence you are referring to is a year-round dwelling that is constantly heated, then there's no harm in bringing the board into the house. Even if there might still be worms in the board, they cannot live and reproduce in dry wood. It only lives in wood with a certain moisture level.
However, if it's a summer cottage that remains unheated in the winter, then I wouldn't bring such a board inside!
Thank you for your response
I will check the hole. The boards have been stored in a barn for a while and most likely come from another barn on the property that was demolished.
The house it will be moved into is a year-round residence, constantly heated. Both with electricity and a stove.
Is it crucial what kind of wormhole it is if I can bring it in, or can I bring it in regardless because the house is heated?
Thank you again
/T
I will check the hole. The boards have been stored in a barn for a while and most likely come from another barn on the property that was demolished.
The house it will be moved into is a year-round residence, constantly heated. Both with electricity and a stove.
Is it crucial what kind of wormhole it is if I can bring it in, or can I bring it in regardless because the house is heated?
Thank you again
/T
Building conservationist
· 3 509 posts
I can't answer your last question. I only know how the striped one behaves. I would call Anticimex and ask to be on the safe side....