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Submitted by Flip on Thu, 01/05/2012 - 06:21In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Fillide
Submitted by Esme on Thu, 01/05/2012 - 08:23In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Capricorno delle case
Submitted by Fillide on Thu, 01/05/2012 - 09:02In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
It could well be a house longhorn - but it sounds so much more cuddly by its Italian name - il capricorno delle case - that I'm a bit surprised Esme isn't encouraging you to make pets of them! Is it attacking a softwood (pine or spruce beams)? Generally they can be pretty well ignored (the longhorn) if they are haviing a go at a hadwood (chestnut or oak) since they only nibble the sapwood - but they can rampage through softwoods. There are other wood borning insects which can do substantial damage to (predominantly) newly felled chestnut and oak, so it would certainly be a good idea to get a proper identification from somebody capable of destryoying them if that is necessary. Unfortunately, there are a lot of cowboys out there in the woodworm killing industry (even more in Italy than in the UK!) so it might be sensible to enquire of somebody you trust - maybe your builder or your joiner, or a decent geometra, or even a tecnico at the comune, for a recommendation. (The longhorn tends to be common only in limited geographical areas, so quite possibly the comune have some experience they could offer). Best of luck, but no need to panic.
Beat(le) it.
Submitted by Esme on Thu, 01/05/2012 - 12:41In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec