The most important issue in the woodworking area , is the good condition and health of the wood and the wood bugs and fungi , are the second danger factor that can demolish wood , after the factor of fire of course .
No matter how expensive wood you use , or how good carpenter – carver , et.c , you are , if the bugs – fungi , eat your wood , your work will be vanished for ever and irreversible .
This is the cruel reality fact and noone , can escape from this . If you’re unlucky and the damage of the bugs – fungus , will be very extended , you’re done . Whatever woodcraft you’ve created will be gone for ever .
In the pictures below , see my first ever personal wooden stick from wild mulberry and the holes it had from bugs that were eating it’s mass .
I identify it fast , as i’ve heard their teeth eating in my room’s silence and white dust like flower , in the place i left it .
I moved fast , i injected fungicide in every hole with a syringe and when the problem stopped , i covered the holes with a chewing gum type of covering , as the experts told me .
I did a good job , thank GOD and my wulberry stick is well and “heathy” after so many years .
You see its Grand Canyon cracks in it ? Back then i didn’t know anything concerning the correct drying and i did all the wrong things , of course .
Be very careful in here : i used totally approved bugs medicine and not the very popular Trap – Treat – Realease medicines , which are used only in the outdoors and always after the suggestion of your agriculturist specialist .
Always seek and do what the professionals and specialists , suggest you to do .
What are the Characteristics of the wood Bugs – Fungi – Termites – general Parasites , in order to be fully informed ?
The wood bugs – fungi – termites and generally wood parasites are microorganisms and there’re measured in many thousand different types , that’s why you should always ask help from professionals and don’t relay in rumors , assumptions , et.c .
How do you Identify wood bugs – fungi , generally ?
If you see – identify in your external wood mass , mushrooms , brown rot , white rot which makes wood fade and soft , generally soft external wood surface , changes in texture , spongy or friable areas , soft cracks along the wood grain , white – power dust , general discoloration and dark shades , your wood possibly has bugs – fungi problems .
Usually you’ll see extended rot signs also , as black or blown lines in the external wood mass and generall softness of the wood . Your wood is serious affected by rot , followed by wood bugs and fungi , it doesn’t have the healthy – fresh appearence of the good conditioned wood and you’ll need to act fast .
The help of professionals , fungicites and whatever else they told you to do , is crucial if you want to prevent the total disaster of wood .
How do you identify cellar fungus ?
The fungus – termites that “work” inside the mass of wood , are creating oval holes( mostly ) in the external surface of your wood and outside these holes , you’ll see white power type dust , brown color , or whatever the color of wood is , dust .
Of course you’ll have also inside the mass holes , as these microorganisms eat the mass of wood .
Sometimes these holes are very – very small ( less than 0.015mm) and sometimes are quite big , impressive big , as you can see in these pictures below .
What causes fungus in wood ?
The combination of high moisture , appropriate temperature ( 27o – 33o Celcius ) , the type of wood which maybe is very “attractive” to bugs – fungi – termites and the factor of luck , are the basic factors that causes fungus to wood .
Does wood fungus Spread ?
Yes , it can spread to the entire mass of wood with very fast rythms , till the total destruction of wood if you don’t act fast with the appropriate fungicites and treatment .
How do you identify Unknown fungi ?
If you have a fungi type which is unknown maybe from a tropical type of wood , you can identify the problem , from the holes and white dust in wood , the generall softness caused by the fibers loose , the bad smell of wood , the discoloration that interrupts the grain continuity of wood and the generall , not healthy looks of wood .
Remember in HERE the types of wood .
Unknown shape and looks of mushrooms attached to the peel , strange spores with strange – unknown colors , sizes and condition outside or inside of wood and generally unfamiliar condition of wood , should suspect you , for fungus problems .
How do you detect Hidden mold ?
If the infection is very deep and light , you cannot do anything realistically , than drill the mass of your wood in a small area , with a drill or a screwdriver and make your checks .
Penetrate inside your wood and if you identify soft areas while the other mass of wood is hard , the poibilities for wood fungi , are getting bigger .
If you also see strange discoloration to the wood crips above your driil – screwdriver when you drag it out , you maybe infront of a premature fungus issues .
The smell also can tell you , many “things” about the wood mass condition . The smell of mold – rot and unhealthy wood that starts to rot is very characteristic and of course it doesn’t smell like fresh , healthy wood .
If you also “dig” – penetrate inside the mass of wood with a screwdriver or whatever , you’ll may see and unveil premature spores of fungi caused by the mold and heat .
The hidden , inside mold in your wood will make its surface soft and easy to squeeze , probably it’ll have the bad and very familiar mold smell and of course it’ll create discoloration and grain deformities .
The moisture – mold situation affects to the continuity in the mass and the bonds between the molecules of wood , making it soft in the touch .
Bad smell and discoloration exist in here of course and it’s a matter of time , before they become very detactable by anyone , regerdless his experience .
Moldy wood , smells very bad .
What is the best way , to Prevent fungi from growning in wood ?
The control of moisture ( below the 20% ) , efforts to avoid moisture and heat combination conditions , the avoidance to storage wood near highly moisture places ( rivers , fountains , outside rainy places ) , the avoidance to keep wood above wet soil direclty , are some of the things you can do , with sero money spend .
If you can and you want to prevent the fungi to damage your wood with 100% success , or 99% maybe because luck is always present , the impregnation of wood will erase any fungus dangers .
See what i mean in this post , HERE .
Can fungus be Removed from wood ?
You can remove some fungus types by yourself using soap and water , a soft brush to clean – rub slightly the peel and stuff like , but these apply only for the external of the wood and it isn’t a permanent solution , also .
You should never cut off the fungus type which is like mushrooms – pancakes and stuff like that because you’ll spread their spores all over to other trees .
Yes you can rub and clean the external mass – surface of your wood , but if you want 100% totally safe results , you should go to the specialists – professionals .
The professionals will give you the exact and correct solution – treatment , that will solve the fungus – bugs problem and this solution will cure the issue perfect and for ever and with no setbacks .
If you want perfect fungi – bugs – termites , permanent solution with 100% guaranteed results , for the external and inside of your wood , the help of the professionals is the only correct and effective solution .
What is the best fungus Killer , for wood ?
Some say that the distilled white vinegar is a serious fungus killer , but this applies only for some light cases and not for all the fungus types and species and not for all the wood types .
Generally all the types of vinegar help with the bugs fungi in a light grade , but in no case there aren’t the perfect and 100% effective solution .
Every fungus case – problem needs its own specific treatment given by professionals , if you want 100% effective results and not having the same problems in the future .
Will Vinegar Stop wood rot ?
No it won’t , it can only help creating an acidic environment to the external surface of wood , but it cannot penetrate inside and kill – clean the mass of wood from all the fungus types and for good .
How do you Destroy wood insects ?
You should go to the professionals , identify what kind of insect you’re dealing with , get the appropriate fungicite and follow exactly the orders you’ll get from the specialist , to cure the issue for ever .
What is the best Fungicide for wood Rot ?
Not all rot issues are caused from the same primary reasons( fungi – moisture – tree illnesses , et.c ) and the best fungicite is the appropriate one , which is targeted and focuced to cure the specific rot issue you have .
Can you Stop wood Rot , once it starts ?
Yes you can , by cleaning totally the entire area which has the rot issue , then identify the reason of the rot ( by asking the professionals ) and then apply the treatment he’ll give you , in order to stop the “root” of the problem .
If you have inside the mass of wood rot problems , you’ll inject the fungicite inside to the “heart” of the problem and follow the treatment’s steps , very strict till the final solution .
How do you Inspect wood Rot ?
If the rot is external , you’ll see wood discoloration , soft areas , spongy areas , sepsis areas , light color dust , bad smell for sure and generally a not healthy and fresh conditioned wood , even if it’s kind of dry wood piece .
The discoloration will be generally to the darkest colors range , black or very deep brown going to black , very dark green , or dark green going to black , et.c .
No matter what type of woof you’ll have , the discoloration will be to the darkest range of its color .
If the rot is inside the mass , you need to drill inside wood with a drill a screwdriver , et.c , to check and get the feeling of the mass od wood inside it , searching for softness and “strange” texture feeling .
Bad smell and dicoloration are timeless checking factors of rot issues .
How do you test wood Rot , with a Screwdriver ?
If you suspect rot or whatever else problem to the inside mass of your wood , you can take a screwdriver or a drill and penetrate inside it .
If you find fluctuations during the penetration movement inside your wood , concerning its hardness and generally “strange” softness inside wood , this isn’t a good sign .
You should feel the same hardness resistance while you go inside and if not , you should investigate and search further .
How do you remove Spores from wood ?
The several types of vinegar and maybe some baking soda can help if you don’t have access to the appropriate medicine , but the appropriate fungicite medicine for the specific type of spores , is the best and professional solution .
What can i put on wood , to keep bugs Out ?
Some natural herbs can help to keep the bugs out of wood , as the basil , the cinnamon , maybe the oregano , but all these are light and detterent ways to prevent future infections .
Quick and continuous inspections of your precious wood , is the best approach in order to identify fast and act faster , in front of a problem .
How to treat Woodworm ?
Don’t improvise using the “street talks” and medicines , go to the professionals , ask them to identify what type of woodworm issue you have , get their treatment advices and follow them till the erase of the problem .
Will woodworm , go away on its Own ?
No , the woodworm problem won’t be solved by its own and if you don’t ask for professional help , the woodworm will vanish your wood , irreversible and completely .
Can you Burn wood that has Started to rot ?
I don’t suggest you to burn rot wood , because rot implies high moisture maybe or a serious bugs – fungi problems , leading to reduced ability for good combustion with low toxicity residues .
What rots wood , Fast ?
The high levels of moisture , water conditions maybe with the presence of fungus , along with the appropriate environmnet’s temperature which is between the 27o – 33o celcius , is the best environment to have rot in big dosages .
Should you Cut fungus off , a tree ?
No you should avoid to cut off the fungus of the peel of the tree or wherever it exists , because you’ll cause the spread of the fungus spores , alll over the place infecting more trees .
What kills a fungal Infection ?
There is a very big variety of fungal infections and even if many say that Lamisil ( terbinafin ) or mystatin ( Nystan ) or other types of fungicites can kill the infection , the correct approach is a professional to first identify the infection and then give you the appropriate fungicite .
Yes , there are some medicines that help generally , but if you want precision to the fungus infection treatment , ask a pro and be 100% effective to the solution you’l provide .
What kills wood fungi ?
The correct treatment to kill fungi from wood , is the one that suits the specific fungi type , it’s recommended from a professional after its inspection in real life and not by rumors and assumptions , you hear , here and there .
There are more than 100.000 thousand types of parasitiformes , more than 1 million termite species(!) , more than 5.000 fungus types and as you can imagine , you need the opinion of the ones who are capable for effective solutions .
You can kill fungi creating alkaline environment . You can kill fungi with catalytic ozonation in chambers which it’s a great inhibitory agent .
You can kill fungi with several types of salts in pressure chambers and oves and there are so many other ways to kill fungi , according to the fungi situation you have in front .
What is a Natural antifungal for wood ?
The alkaline environment , the vineger white or not , many herbs as the thyme , cinnamon , basil , et.c , the control of the moisture and avoidance of water in general , the good drying , are some of the natural ways you can use to protect your wood .
How to Stop fungi , from Growing on wood ?
Generally the good drying of wood is a very good inhibitory agent , to prevent fungi growth , along with the avoidance of continuously water conditions combined with high heat ( 27o -33o celcious ) and open “wounds” in the surface of wood .
See how you can dry your wood naturally , HERE .
The open “wounds” are great “doors” for the fungi to penetrate the mass of wood .
What you can use to open “wounds” , to cover them ? Copper in any form you like , acts as the iodine to the human wounds , having antiseptic role .
How do you Disinfect wood ?
The only 100% effective solution to a wood infection form an external factor ( bug – fungi – termite ) , is to ask the opinion of the professionals and do exactly whatever they tell you , in order to give permanent solution , without harming your wood .
How do you protect wood , from Bed bugs ?
Your bed should be made from good quality wood and if it’s impregnated even better and it should be always clean with good ventilation and air flow , along with the avoidance to keep clothes and other fabric , underneath the mattress .
Clothes , et.c , underneath the mattres are first class magnets to moisture , mold , dust , dirt , which a;; these are first class food for mites .
Can wood fungus make you Sick ?
Surely to inhale to your lungs and skin , mites , fungi spores combined with dust , mold molecules , isn’t the best situation you can have and i suggest you to wear gloves and a face mask , while you act with these situations .
Remember your skin breaths too , not only your nose .
The same applies for your ears , eyes , maybe open injuries , allergic problems and general other types of health issues and sensitivities .
Avoid health problems , use your protecting gear and always ask the opinions of the doctors if you have a question , a doubt , et.c .
Keep woodworking and happiness will “hit your door” for sure .