Nature picture

Global Pest In Wood

Insect Infestation

Wood Pallets are susceptible to insect infestation and require heat-treatment or fumigation before they can be cross border or export to other countries under the regulation of IPPC ISPM 15 – “Regulation of wood packaging material (WPM) in international trade.”.

Even when wood pallets are being heat-treated and stencil with the IPPC Mark, could sometimes found to be infested with pest /insect. This cross contamination could be due to a long period of storage since it last been heated treated before it could be exported or during a long journey in transit which humidity and conditions are in favourable with pest infestation. The regulated guide lines for IPPC ISPM 15 approved measured on heat treatment for WPM is said to have eliminated the quarantine pest but not the secondary pest in the wood.

LHT came out its innovative process product conversion pallet known as “IPPC Pallet” which does not require heat-treat or fumigation. The process products like technical wood, LVL and plywood have undergone high temperature, high steam and high press during its manufacturing. The components of the “IPPC Pallet” are made of Technical Wood and/or combination ply wood, LVL, other process wood or both. These pallets (IPPC Pallet) which are made of engineer woods are exempted from heat-treat or fumigation as it is unlikely to be infested by raw wood pests during its use and is technically justify eliminating the wood pests during its process of making.

Most common in wood-destroying pests are termites, powder post beetles, longhorn beetles wood boring weevil etc.

Common Name: Powder Post Beetle
 
Scientific Classification :
Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Coleoptera
Family : Bostrichidae
Genus : Lyctus
 
Biology & Description :
  • Size in range of 2 – 5 mm
  • Larvae feed on wood from inside and tunnel into wood resulting in frass production.
  • Pupation occurs within the wood itself after the larval stage.
  • Adults mate after emergence and the females lay eggs within pores or cracks and crevices of wood. Some may even bore into the wood to deposit the eggs.
  • The complete life cycle requires from 7 months to 1 year depending on temperature and conditions.
 
Economic Importance :
  • Cause damage to various wood products such as floors, paneling, crates, furniture or antiques.
  • Degrade the quality of lumber and wood products.
  • Damage only becomes evident during the emergence of adults from the holes.
 
Control :
  • Prevention and control should begin before the completion of final wood products because most of the infestation present in wood or wood products before purchase.
  • Inspect all building materials before bringing in for signs of beetles or damage.
  • Filled the existing holes on wood and have the surface coated with paraffin wax, varnish, shellac or paint for existing infestation in the premise.
  • Existing infestation could only be temporarily treated by using fumigant for short-term solution. Ideally, infested wood products must be removed from the premise to prevent further infestation.
 
 

 
 

Common Name: Asian Longhorn Beetle
 
Asian Longhorn Beetle attacks and kills many hardwood trees, such as maple, elm, horsechestnut, ash, birch, poplar, willow and many more. Asian Long Horn Beetle could significantly disrupt the forest ecosystem if it became established over a large area.
 
 
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