Wood damaging pests and wood decay
These plagues are catogorized under insect attacks (termites, borers (wood eating beetles) and fungus. Wood attacking insects are the carpenter ants and the termites, the latter the most notorious and most damaging. Borers (beetles) can be split into old wood borers and fresh wood borers (powder post beetles, larder beetles). Some types of Fungi can be damaging, provided the heartwood is susceptible.
TERMITES There are about 2,600 species of termites, whereas the most notorious are the carpenter ants and the Formosa termites, the latter most dangerous and damaging. (*) The common name "white ants" is a very poor choice, since termites are not ants and have been shown to be more closley related to cockroaches For a very detailed review about termites go to the < special termite page > |
Winged termites |
Termites cause billions of dollars in damage each year in the world. They primarily feed on wood, but also damage paper, books, insulation, and even swimming pool liners and filtration systems. There are only a few wood species available in the world which are 100% guaranteed termite resistant. These wood species can only be found in Africa and South America, but definitely NOT in Indonesia, however, there are a few Indonesian hardwood wood species which will give some protection when the proper part of the tree is used (the core or "heart"). |
However, as is the case with all trees the outer rings (called sap wood) are soft or softer than the core (heartwood). As a result termites do not attack Bangkirai heartwood and in a lesser extend the heartwood from the other species mentioned, however, the termites attack the juicier and softer sapwood. The solution would be that we only buy heartwood from our suppliers, however, so unfortunate, this is merely a mission impossible, since the suppliers do not want to be left with only a stock of sap wood. |
As such the suppliers mix the wood in portions of heartwood and sapwood, or will ask a 30% higher price for heartwood only. In conclusion we cannot guarantee that all the wood that we use is not susceptible to termite attacks whether it is Bangkirai, Teak, Merbau or Iron wood. |
HOWEVER,.................... That was the bad news. There is also good news. When the mixed wood of one of the above mentioned wood species is used in combination with our speciallin-house developed treatmemt, a termimesh system or a termite barrier you will be much safer for many, many years to come, whereas a combination with Bangkirai heartwood for the lower parts of the unit (from natural grade up to and including the ground floor) is the best option. For those who have the budget available we offer the grandeur solution (see bottom of this page "STOP PRESS" marked in orange). |
Termite mudding. If you see this: you have termites !!!!!! |
Fact
Most Indonesian wooden prefab house manufacturers state on their web sites that Bangkirai and Merbau are documented to absolutely termite resistant. We are of the believe that these companies should do their home work again and shall carefully read what is written in the following laboratory reports:
J. Kenneth Crave and Carrie H.M. Tome from the University of Hawaii evaluated the resistance of Indonesian Bangkirai to the attack of the dangerous Formosa termite. Their investigation revealed that "as with all durable tree species only the heartwood and not the sapwood of these species is reputed to be durable". See page 504 line 15 of their report which can be downloaded via https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/gracek/pdfs/212.pdf This report supports our claim that the only Indonesian fully termite resistant Indonesian hardwood is Bangkirai provided this is heartwood.
A technical data sheet from the Australian timber base sheds some light on the termite resistance of Merbau and can be found at https://www.timber.net.au/?option=com_species&name=Merbau&Itemid=441 This article clearly indicates that only Merbau heartwood is termite resistant.
Rationale
Claiming that a wooden house built from Bangkirai or Merbau is 100% termite resistant is a deceiving statement, since not one supplier will supply heartwood only, hence they supply a mix of sapwood (very termite sensitive) and heartwood (not susceptible to termite attacks). As a result the house is built with this mix of sapwood and heartwood and thus.....not 100% termite resistant
Main conclusion: One shall not automatically believe that a house built from Indonesian hardwood is 100% safe to termite attacks, at least we are not promoting this. By ruling out the extremely expensive Bojonegoro Teak and the fact that Iron wood is prohibited from being exported, Bangkirai or Merbau heartwood in combination with a termimesh system or a termite barrier application will give optimum protection. Our statement that Bangkirai and Merbau sapwood is not termite resistant is therefore fully underlined by the above articles.
Termites eating sap wood |
We have a proper and effective solution for our clients in the Northern territory of Australia where the dangerous Mastotermes flourishes.
(*) STOP PRESS: We can guarantee termite resistance:
On April 16, 2012 we signed an exclusive contract with one of the Balinese timber suppliers allowing us to select as much as possible Bangkirai heartwood from his stock yard at no extra costs, provided we buy all Bangkirai that we need for our projects from his company. This will put us in the unique position to guarantee that we are now able to fabricate timber houses, using as much as poissible Bangkirai heartwood (with a luttle mix of sap wood perhaps), which is definitely 100% termite resistant when in combination with our in-house (secret) developed termite treatment system.
Borers that may attack dry hardwood are: These borers produce a very fine powdery dust, similar in consistency to talc attack the sapwood of certain hardwood timbers cause serious structural weakening in timber that has a high sapwood content. Borer larvae (grubs) Borer larvea may feed on new timber and emerge as adults once the timber dries out. Anobiid borer These borers produce a gritty 'salt like' dust. There are many different species of this borer, but two significant ones are listed - Anobium punctatum, the common furniture beetle, and Calymmaderus incisus, the Queensland pine beetle. Anobium punctatum (Common furniture beetle) These borers attack furniture, structural timbers, flooring and decorative wood work. Prefer old, well seasoned timber, sap woods |
FUNGI A wood destroying fungus (fungi, plural) causes more damage to structures than all the fires, floods, and termites combined! Wood decaying fungus requires four fundamentals to survive which are oxygen, favorable temperatures, water, and food. Fungus occurs generally when the moisture content of wood exceeds 20 to 30 percent, coupled with optimal temperatures (32˚ – 90˚ F), an adequate supply of oxygen and a suitable source of energy and nutrients. Fungus is a plant that lacks chlorophyll (which gives a leef its color). Unable to manufacture its own food, it feeds off of cells in the wood. The fungus secretes enzymes that break down the wood into usable food. Fungi will significantly reduce the strength of the wood, if the condition continues over a period of time. |
Durability against rot
= Durable = Moderate = Non durable |
White rot Bangkirai = , Merbau = , Camphor = , kempas = , Nyatoh = , Keruing = Bangkirai = , Merbau = , Camphor = , kempas = , Nyatoh = , Keruing = Poria incrassata Bangkirai = , Merbau = , Camphor = , kempas = , Nyatoh = , Mold Bangkirai = , Merbau = , Camphor = , kempas = , |
MAIN CONCLUSION: Our hardwood, used for structrual elements, flooring and/or sidings is safe to borers and mold. For optimum termite protection log on to the < special termite page >