What insect is eating my skirting board?!

MB Lacey

Help needed please, couldn't decide whether to post this here or in household forum, but I figured there's more chance of this little mite being identified here - hopefully!

For the last few months I've noticed a bit of 'sand looking grain' appearing under a section of the kitchen skirting board, didn't think too much of it and swept it away, repeated this a few more times.
Fast forward a few months and the 'sand looking grain' is full on wood shavings.
I think something is eating the inside of the skirting board (the front looks completely fine and is solid to touch).

The section of skirting board being attacked is next to the back door behind the cooker.
At first I thought it was woodlice, because some dead woodlice bodies were around, but they don't really eat wood do they?
I don't think it's woodworm because the wood isn't bored with holes, plus the wood shavings are too big.

Tonight I took photos, the photos show a couple of weeks worth of shavings (I know, I know, I didn't get around to taking the photos and didn't want to sweep it up until I'd taken the photos..)

In the shavings I found a few possible prime suspects, tiny black dots of things - I reckon these might be the cause, but I don't know what they are - does anyone here?
Once I know what they are I can try and treat the problem - hopefully, easily and cheaply.

Thanks in advance

swifts need our help!

Beetle remains in your hand but cant make out whts on the floor. Is your camera on the macro/close up/flower setting? Flash, as in camera, may help

Mark

MB Lacey

swifts need our help! wrote: »

Beetle remains in your hand but cant make out whts on the floor. Is your camera on the macro/close up/flower setting? Flash, as in camera, may help

Mark

They're not beetle remains in my hand, they're the actual critters I think are causing the destruction!
They're extremely small, but a closer look shows they're actual insects/ mites - whatever.

I have enclosed another photo I took with the flash on, yes that's as good as my macro setting on the camera gets I'm afraid.

swifts need our help!

next task in to get a mm ruler in position

I've edited your photo but still dont know what it is. Does it break down in water?

Mark

kylith

Here's a list of possible culprits.
http://www.handr.co.uk/literature/building_pests.htm#deathwatch

Rega

Think I've the same thing myself in an ensuite bathroom. What's the best way to get rid of mites like this?

siledee

I think they are carpet beetles.
I've had them and the odd one occasionally still turns up.
http://www.woking.gov.uk/planning/envhealthservice/pest/carpet

The top picture is the one I think you have.
They are very small...about 3mm
If you google you can get a lot of info.

MB Lacey

HI thanks for replies, I don't think they're carpet beetles, looked them up and they certainly don't eat wood, which is what these critters are doing.
I loked at the list of insects in that link Kylith and didn't see anything mine matched to.
Mark, the insect is about 1mm in size, I sewpt them up and put them in the bin, so can't see if they dissolve in water.
When the pile of shavings gets big again I'll take another look.
Ta.

MB Lacey

After looking up carpet beetles, I noticed something called a dry wood termite - having clicked on a few more links, I think that might be what's in my skirting board.
Now to find out how to get rid of them