ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 288, 5 September 1928, Page 17

ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT

“Borer.”-—ln the treatment of borerinfected buildings much depends on the special circumstances of the case. Where a building is affected extensively I should think it doubtful whether auy spraying or injection treatment would be of much avail. The trouble would continue to spread in and from inaccessible parts of the building—the insides of walls and so forth. If the area affected is limited and accessible,, the best and most effective treatment is undoubtedly to cut out the affected timber, making sure that none of it is missed, and burn it forthwith. I know of at least one instance in Wellington in which the removal of a few boards and timbers in this way left a building apparently immune for years afterwards from borer attack. The preservative you mention probably is a preparation of creosote or a mixture containing creosote. Of these there are a number on the market. Some of these preservatives certainly are of value where they are applied comprehensively and adequately to the material of a wooden building in the course of erection. As a means of arresting the ravages of borer in articles of furniture, Mr. David Miller, entomologist to the Cawthron Institute, recommends an injection into the burrow openings on the wood surface of an insecticide prepared fty dissolving powdered naphtalene. m methylated spirits of wine or benzine. This mixture obviously is highly inflammable and should be kept carefully away from any naked light or fire. You can obtain extended information on the subject of the borer and the remedial treatment that is possible from the State I orcst (Service. —“Jack Plane.”