Anobium punctatum and Hylotrupes bajulus are the two most significant insect pests of structural timber in the UK. This paper describes the results to date from two separate surveys in the UK carried out by the BRE in collaboration with remedial treatment companies, local authorities and building societies to establish the incidence and status of these insects with respect to geographical location, age and type of building. The results update those from previous BRE surveys published in 1965 and 1973. Results for Anobium punctatum show a general trend of increasing infestation with age of property but also suggest a reducing trend in incidence in properties built since the last major survey in 1965. Incidence of Hylotrupes bajulus is concentrated in the areas currently designated in Building Regulations. Houses constructed in the period 1920-1930 show a high level of incidence of Hylotrupes bajulus. Possible reasons for changes in incidence of Anobium punctatum include drier timber conditions due to increased heating levels in buildings and reduced use of highly susceptible panel products. The cause of the apparently high incidence of Hylotrupes bajulus in properties built in the period 1920-1940 is unknown. Possible explanations include increased natural incidence due to a series of particularly favourable annual climatic conditions in that period.

Download document (351 kb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document