Lyctus, an insect with wood-eating larvae
What is the wood-eating beetle?
The Lyctus is an insect belonging to the wood-eating larvae family. This beetle has the particularity of developing only in hardwood species rich in starch, which are a favoured food source for its larvae. This is why the presence of Lyctus beetles in a home can be a real scourge, as the larvae will burrow into the timber to feed, potentially causing damage.
The appearance of Lyctus
When fully grown, the lyctus measures between 2 and 7 mm. It is a narrow-shaped insect with a characteristic brown colour. Lyctus larvae are white in colour and have flanks with bulges. These larvae generally measure 5 mm. The presence of lyctus larvae in a home can be noticed by the appearance of small oval holes measuring 1 to 2 mm in the wood.
The life cycle of the Lyctus
Lyctus have a life cycle of 1 to 2 years, during which they take on different forms.
- Egg : 1 to 2 weeks
- Larva : 8 to 12 months
- Pupa : 2 to 3 weeks
- Perfect insect : 2 to 4 months
It is during its larval period that the lyctus can cause damage to wooden infrastructures. Fortunately, to protect homes from these pests, there are preventive and curative solutions to prevent the proliferation of Lyctus beetles.
How can I protect wood from lyctus?
Resistant and durable, wood is a living material that is particularly sensitive to living organisms, especially wood pests. It is therefore essential to protect this building material with appropriate treatments. This is why Groupe Berkem offers professionals preventive and curative treatments to eradicate or protect against a plague of Lyctus.
Groupe Berkem’s preventive solutions against Lyctus beetles
As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure, especially when it comes to wood pests. This is why it is preferable to treat wooden structures even if they are not infested. These products from the Xilix range are applied in the form of emulsions and prevent wood-eating beetles and other wood-eating insects from settling in the wood.
This treatment does not alter the colour of the original wood and can be applied to all types of wood.
Groupe Berkem’s curative solutions against lyctus
Groupe Berkem also offers solutions for homes already infested and damaged by a plague of Lyctus. These curative treatments from the Xilix range come in gel or liquid emulsion form and are applied by spraying and/or injection into infested wood.
Groupe Berkem guarantees reliable and effective solutions to combat wood-eating insects over the long term.