tiny creatures: inside a wooden boat fitting

[imakepeace]

Took off a fitting today to clean it up. The boat has been on the hard for 4 months.
We found a colony of tiny creatures, each one about 5ml long, grey, cone shaped, moved a little bit like a hermit crab.
I really hope they are harmless, anyone got any ideas what they might be

 

[Iliade]

Polyestermites...

 

[VicS]

Polyestermites...

not in wooden boat

 

[cliff]

Polyestermites...

Actually, I think they are borer crabs. If you have an infestation you must inform all other wooden boat owners in you local area so they can get their boats treated. Once these little buggers get a foot hold it is generally terminal unless treated immediately. This is best left to the professionals as the treatment involves some rather noxious chemicals. The alternative is to DIY with about 5 gallons of kerosene and a match - guaranteed to kill the little buggers and prevent them spreading to neighbouring vessels.
Judging by the size of the hole they have already bored in your hull I would think they already have a strong foothold.
Yep, definitely close to the terminal stage.
Don't forget to advise all neighbouring boat owners that you have in infestation of borer crabs so they can take the appropriate action - some may even have a whip round and donate the Kerosene.

 

[oldbilbo]

Geez! Those are NOTIFIABLE....

Now that you've made it public that you have these, you must report them to DEFRA immediately, or risk a very eye-watering fine. Don't, whatever you do, ignore them the way a boatyard and owner on the Upper Tamar did....

Here's the DEFRA Helpline < defra.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk ) and phone number < Telephone (UK only) 08459 33 55 77 >