Pest control (and treatment)
There are various types of worms that can infest the wood, their scientific names are difficult to pronounce (Anobium punctatum the most common, Xestobium ruffovillosum, Lyctus brunneus etc.).
The presence of a worm is detected by the small hole that this parasite leaves in the wood. The hole is caused by the larva which tunnels in the wood, producing the classic grainy powder. Once the larva reaches maturity it leaves the wood.
If there aren’t many holes anti-woodworm can be injected with a common syringe for injections, being careful to get the needle in as deep as possible, and injecting until the product comes out of the hole. Allow to dry and repeat the process a couple of times at a distance of one week. Once this has been done the hole should be sealed with the wax filler.
If the attack of pests is considerable then it is necessary to proceed in a more decisive fashion.
Working in a ventilated area and wearing rubber gloves the anti-woodworm product is poured in a container and then applied generously with a brush both inside and outside the piece.
Subsequently the piece while still wet is wrapped with a plastic sheet and sealed well with packaging tape so as to create a gas chamber and stored for a couple of weeks.
After this period, the process is repeated, painting on the anti-woodworm product, the article is wrapped and sealed and stored another two weeks. If the artifact is small it can be packed in a plastic bag such as those used for rubbish to create the gas chamber.
