bamboo insect infestation — guadua bamboo
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Stéphane Schröder (/preservation/?author=53407b1be4b01b8f6b772224) · November
17, 2012 (/preservation/bamboo-insect-infestation)
Bamboo Insect InfestationUntreated bamboo, just like almost any other wood, has a high chance of being attacked
by insects. Bamboo insect infestation occurs due to the presence of starch and other
carbohydrates. Insects obtain their food supply from the bamboo and degrade it,
therefore bamboo should be chemically treated (/preservation/chemical-bamboo-
preservation) to avoid infestation.
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Bamboo Insect Infestation
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Beetles and termites are the most commonly occurring insects in bamboo. They do not
require any specific conditions, except for warm and moist climate conditions.
The life cycle of an insect is divided into four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa and
adult. Eggs hatch into minute larvae, which penetrate by gnawing through the tissue by
mechanical and chemical action. The particles are digested in the gut of the larvae and
the frass is pushed out as pellets at the rear end. The larva pupates and finally the adult
beetle chews its way out of the bamboo culm leaving exit holes on the surface. The adult
may again lay eggs before dying resulting in multiple attack of the same stock or culms
freshly added.
Powderpost Beetles
Some hardwoods are naturally immune if they have low starch content or if their pore
diameters are too small for the female beetle's ovipositor to lay her eggs in.
Unfortunately, bamboo has large pores and contain high concentrations of starch. Boron
based wood preservatives can be used to prevent beetle infestation in bamboo.
Powderpost beetles, may consume the whole bamboo culm leaving only a thin outer
shell on exiting. Larvae of beetles nourish on the starch and sugars in the parenchyma
cells in the culm and the intensity of attack will depend on the amount of starch available.
Thus culms with higher starch content, for example, those harvested during shooting or
the rainy season (/cultivation/when-and-how-to-harvest-bamboo), are more prone to
attack. Once the larvae grow, they can consume other cell wall components as well.
Powdery dust falling out of holes indicates ongoing bamboo insect infestation. The
beetle larvae can tunnel through the entire inner tissue leaving behind only a thin surface
of the hard cortex which may give a false impression when evaluating the significance of
damage for repair work.
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Insect Infestation
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Comments (12) Subscribe via e-mail
Tagged: Insect Infestation (/preservation/?tag=Insect+Infestation)
I live in Cambodia and we have built a large round Tiki Hut style building out of
bamboo. We are now experiencing the powder dropping down and it would seem
Termites
Termites live in well-organized colonies having a population of several thousands to a
few millions of individuals. They are among the few insects capable of using cellulose as
a source of food. Some varieties of termites (subterranean) need high humidity and
access to water for survival. Other types (drywood type) survive without ground contact,
obtaining moisture from the culm.
Subterranean Termite Drywood Termite
Subterranean termites attack bamboo on ground contact by extending above the
ground in tube-like runways made of soil and faeces. The gnawing takes place inside the
bamboo culm. Using termite-resistant concrete, steel, or masonry foundation with
appropriate barriers, is a basic bamboo construction (/construction/) technique to avoid
contact between bamboo and the ground.
Drywood termites build their nests inside the bamboo culm parts that they are eating.
Often attack becomes visible only at a late stage of deterioration.
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PaPuline 10 months ago
we have a bad issue with this. We have sprayed the building with chemicals
several times and we are still experiencing the same problem and the dust falling
does not seem to be slowing down. Can anyone help us with some advise.
I'm having a problem with these powder post beetles when making small crafts,
could I use a garbage can or container and try soaking the small pieces of bamboo
with the borac acid solution?
Yes you can soak them in a boric acid / borax solution usually sold under the
commercial name Timbor.
Termites are always hovering around my bamboo chairs and I have often noticed
small heaps of sawdust on the floor. I have now bunged up all the holes with
plasticine and the problem has gone away.
I just came back from the Philippines I was impressed with the bamboo furniture
they have. I will be going back down there this winter and planning to ship some
back to Canada. The powder Post Beetle and other bamboo pest will they survive
the harsh Canadian climate and if so what is the best way to cure bamboo
products to prevent importing them up here.
I have tons of bamboo that's been sitting in my apartment porch closet and I just
noticed all these tiny little holes all around. As I inspected it closely I noticed some
sort of tiny insects coming out and there seems to be a lot of saw dust from it.
What should I do? Should I throw them away for fear of infesting the apartment or
is there a way to rescue this beautiful bundle that was a gift? Thanks for any
recommendation.
You could try to spray them with a commercial insecticide.
Dylan 8 months ago
(http://www.guaduabamboo.com/stephane-
schroder/)
Stéphane Schröder
(http://www.guaduabamboo.com/stephane-schroder/)
8 months ago
Patricia 8 months ago
Nancy 8 months ago
Donna 8 months ago
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schroder/)
Stéphane Schröder
(http://www.guaduabamboo.com/stephane-schroder/)
8 months ago
My kids got a gift of bamboo cups from Jamaica. I had to throw them away
because they were infested with these tiny critters.
Yes, unfortunately many bamboo handicrafts aren't treated (artisans often
don't know how) which can cause insect attacks.
All bamboo artisans know how to treat bamboo and not only make it
termite proof but also crack proof. It's better than your borax treatment.
They have been doing it for thousand of years. They don't do it today
because it takes a damn long time and that translates into higher cost
of production thereby losing it advantage over other building materials.
I have a seriously problem with my bamboo furniture being attacked by beetles. I
would be very appreciative if anyone can give me a solution...
Drill small holes in the bamboo near the nodes and inject an insecticide. You
can drill the holes under the arm rests or other hidden places so that it won't
affect the aesthetic qualities of the furniture.
Newer Post
Durability of Bamboo
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Older Post
How to Remove Bamboo Mold
(/preservation/how-to-remove-bamboo-
mold)
Betty 8 months ago
(http://www.guaduabamboo.com/stephane-
schroder/)
Stéphane Schröder
(http://www.guaduabamboo.com/stephane-schroder/)
8 months ago
Manipur 2 months ago
Linda 8 months ago
(http://www.guaduabamboo.com/stephane-
schroder/)
Stéphane Schröder
(http://www.guaduabamboo.com/stephane-schroder/)
8 months ago
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