Published on Thursday, 29 August 2019 at 10:01:02 AM

European House Borer found in roof space!

European House Borer (EHB) is a particularly destructive pest of seasoned (dead) pinewood, with the potential to infest structural pinewood in homes across the greater Perth area.

In December 2018, a single female European house borer (EHB) beetle was found inside a roof space in a house near Yanchep. While EHB has been established in parts of the greater Perth area since 2004, this is the first time in Western Australia (WA) that EHB has been found inside a roof though natural dispersion. This find confirms that EHB can be attracted into a roof in WA conditions; something not previously known. The house in question was about 10 years old with concealed eaves and about half and half H2 treated and untreated roof timbers (H2-treated timber repels EHB).  Luckily for the homeowner, no signs of infestation were found upon thorough inspection by experienced pest control operators, although annual inspections are recommended to monitor the situation.

It was a relatively inexperienced pest control operator that recognised and reported this EHB (great job). In the same month we had 3 members of the community find and report EHB on external house walls. We encourage everyone to be vigilant looking for signs of EHB around their own home and yard, particularly during flight season, which runs from September to May, peaking through December.

For information on what to look for, how to protect your home, and how to report suspect EHB, go to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development website at www.agric.wa.gov.au/ehb where our new 4-page EHB information flyer can be found on the top right hand side of the home page.

H2 treated pine (often blue-coloured)	Untreated pine

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