A Beetle Compliance Certificate is needed to support the sale of a property to ensure it is free of any infestation of wood-destroying organisms (WDO). There is no legislated South African law that obligates a seller to provide a Beetle Certificate of Clearance. However, if an offer-to-purchase or bank requires it, one will have to be presented.

All wood-destroying organisms are destructive and recommendations for treatment will be given whenever an infestation is found. Once a property is clear of any infestations, the certificate of clearance will be issued. The certificate is valid for three months from the date of issue

General pests such as cockroaches, fleas, ants, flies, fish moths, lice, bees, birds and rodents etc. are not included when inspecting a property for purposes of issuing a Beetle Certificate of Clearance.

Beetle COC checklist:

• West Indian dry wood termites
• Brown house borers
• Italian beetles
• Common furniture beetles
• Powder post beetles
• False furniture beetles
• Subterranean termites
• Harvester termites
• Any wood-destroying organism of economic significance in an accessible area

We also do termite control and fumigation of timber for export (ISPM15). An international phytosanitary measure that addresses the need to treat wood materials used to ship products between countries (pallets, crates, dunnages, etc).

Pre-construction:

Foundation trenches, v-channels and under solid floor areas are treated with a termiticide drenching.

Post-construction:

The entire structure is drilled through the outside perimeter wall to reach below the floor slab and a solution of termiticide is injected into the holes.

Nests:

Holes are drilled into the nests and the nests are flooded with a solution of termiticide. Surface areas surrounding nests are also sprayed.

There are many types of wood-destroying organisms however, in the Western Cape the majority of offer-to-purchase contracts refer to three species of beetles namely:

• ANOBIUM PUNCTATIUM (Common furniture Beetles )

Found predominately in wooden flooring

• HYLOTRUPES BAJULES

Found predominately in roof trusses, fascia boards and wendy houses

• OXYPLERUS NODIERI (longhorn beetle)

Found predominately in roof trusses, fascia boards and wendy houses. Their eggs are laid in the cracks of wood and tunnel through over a period of years, which eventually destroys the structure.

Contact us today for more information on other general pests that may be invading your home.