The Technique of FURNITURE MAKING
Giant wood-wasps
These only attack the living tree, and are, therefore, the foresters' concern. An occasional mature wasp of somewhat terrifying aspect. much bigger than a hornet and with a long egg - laying probe which could be mistaken for a sting, can sometimes be seen haunting the wood-pile in late summer, but can safely be disregarded.
Methods of treatment for insect pests
No treatment is required for pinhole borer as the tunnels are always empty, but infestation by furniture and death-watch beetle should be taken in hand immediately. The entire surface should be cleaned with a powerful vacuum- cleaner to clear the flight holes of dust, and a proprietary woodworm killer of the solvent type, usually a metallic or chlorinated naphthalene, liberally brushed or swabbed over the surface. Each flight hole should also be injected with the fluid, using the cheap polystyrene squeeze bottles with nozzle stoppers available, so that the hidden tunnelling can carry the fluid into the body of the wood. The entire treatment should be repeated in the following spring just before the beetles emerge (for the insecticide will not necessarily reach all the hidden grubs which will continue to pupate), after which a yearly check should be made for any signs of fresh dust, and measures taken accordingly. Most proprietary woodworm destroyers do not stain the wood permanently or interfere with the existing polish, and should be applied as liberally as possible, for they are quite safe to handle. However, spraying in confined spaces should not be done unless efficient face masks are worn; and in any case liberal brushing is always preferable to spraying, as the oily fluid tends to bridge over existing flight holes; thus failing to penetrate.
