Official Luthiers Forum!

I just received some wood in the mail and I got exactlly what I paid for. The possible exception being the opportunity grade sets from Allied. They were much better than I thought they would be. I should have ordered more. I also ordered some stuff from LMI and as advertised by both places there were some things keeping my wood from being AAAAA stuff. As expected.

This brings me to the worm holes. I've had wood with worm holes before and never gave it a second thought. This time a question popped up. Should I be worried about this? Is there any chance for bringing pests into my wood collection? I would think not because as big a tragedy as an infestation would be for me, it seems that LMI and Allied would be much worse off if they were infested.

Anyway like I said just had the thought pop into my head and figured I'd ask.

I'd be interested in a wood guy's answer on this also. I'm betting before wood is imported it has to be fumigated or at least pass inspection. But then I have heard of stories of pests coming in with imported wood products.

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Ronn,

I think (I won't say positive !) that you are just fine and have nothing to worry about. Here's why:

1) Bugs like to chew on nice wet wood that is at least a bit pliable. Once it is dry I think that is an evironment that they just don't like.

2) Saw blades hurt bugs...BAD! The sawing process would likely eliminate a lot of them.

3) I import for India, all of the wood I get from there is indeed fumigated, I don't know the protocol for other countries but if it comes into Canada it has to come with a fumigation certificate our the government becomes the owner .

4) I have the most experience with spruce. All of the bugs live in the sap wood so I just cut that off and it becomes firewood, you guys don't want church door figure on your tops anyway. But this restricts the area of concern on a board. I have noticed on my hardwoods that the hole seem restricted to the out edge of the plank also.

Lastly, if you are really concerned (I don't think you need to be)just fumigate it yourself. Build a little box, place it on saw horses out side, put your wood in, get the appropriate Raid or other chemical, shoot a load in the box, close it up and leave it for while.

Hope that helps!

Shane

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Canada

Ronn,
I agree with what Shane said hands down. I can tell from experience that the bug you need to worry about is a powder post beetle. They seem to really like the sapwood in exotic hardwoods. I've also seen them in Prima Vera.
Don Atwood knows more about this that me...so chime in Don.Colonial Tonwds38773.3769907407

We've been importing Koa from the Big Island of Hawaii for over 20 years now. Before a shipment can leave the island it must be fumigated and ag inspected. Once it arrives here on the mainland the main concern is termites.

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Alan Degenhart
Volcano Guitar Works
http://www.volcanoguitarworks.com

Hi Alan, welcome to the OLF!

Thanks for the welcome, Serge.Alan Degenhart38773.590162037

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Alan Degenhart
Volcano Guitar Works
http://www.volcanoguitarworks.com

Read somewhere that the old violin makers in Italy, Strad, etc. would use Borax to get rid of wood worms that were prevelant there. Scientific analysis of some of that old wood shows Boron in the wood structure. So, maybe a solution of 20 Mule Team in DNA brushed or sprayed on will keep the worms away.......and maybe make the wood sound better...........sounds silly, but who knows.

CrowDuck

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Chris Nielsen
Soquel, CA.