TIMBER PESTS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LII, Issue 8630, 10 July 1924, Page 3

TIMBER PESTS

OFF fCT AI. lI ESE ARCH, Tho danger ot : ; l -icing deceived by the so-called white ant and borer “experts" and “preventive" preparations is pointed out iu a report by Mr Froggatt, Forest Entomologist, to the Minister, concerning his work relative to timber pests (says the Sydney 3>aily Telegraph). Following Mr Froggatt’s recommendations, representations have been made by the Minister to the Federal authorities concerning the importation: of New Zealand white pine timber, which is said to be badly infested with larvae of the European furniture bettle. Mr Froggatt considers that ite importations should be prohibited and its use for building purjioses discontinued. Mr Froggart states that lie thinks now that) with ordinary precaution there is very little danger of foreign timber borers gaining a foothold in our forests; but he recoinmends that all precautions be taken. Reporting upon preparations placed on the market for the eradication of borers and white ants, Mr Froggart says:—“The analysis and practical tests T have made proved that a number were simply blends of hydro-carbon oils, creosote or naphtha, with or without a tmalL amount of some mineral poison, such as arsenic or corrosive sublimate, and their penetrative value was equal to that of kerosene oil. Buying them in small quantities at excessive prices, considering their composition, the public wastes a great dieal of money for a secret remedy. In the case of the infestation of sapwood of hardwood timber used in a building, except in! the case where very small inferior hardwood battens, nearly all sapwood, have been used, there is little or no danger of serious damage to the building from powder pest bettle. If tlie flight holes appear in the sapwood a few* pints of ordinary kerosene With a little ordinary crude creosote brushed into the wood-work will check the damage.