Woodworm in GRP Boats?

[C08]

I discovered woodwom in some softwood corner pieces for the ply sheets making up the cupboards under my boat sink. It does not look active (no pwder around any of the holes) but I was not happy at this. No signs of any woodworm or dry/wet rot elsewhere fortunately but I will obviously need to do preventative treatment in the adjoining woodwork. Perhaps more modern boats (mine is a mid 70's boat) have less wood content but when i start to look into it there is a surprising amount of wood involved in the construction e.g 2xtimber bulkheads and 2 mini ones bow and stern, all the under galley area, stiffening timber inside the hull and for mounting the rubbing strip, locker separation at rear, locker separation at the bow, a balsa core for the cockpit sole and the floors are ply set into GRP.
Is my experience unique or is this a common problem in GRP boats?

 

[Quandary]

Never heard of it before but if the little blighters are taking to the waves we are all in trouble.
I suspect it may have come in with the timber and hopefully after all this time they may have flown the coop.
An application of domestic wood worm killer can not do any harm, there is a right time of year to do it, plenty of info available if you google.

 

[chrishscorp]

We used to do timber treatments, did all the training and certificated for profeesional chemicals.

They will take flight in April/May depends on the weather !! if it is current then you will see fras - the dust from the holes as they emerge. I have seen and heard of brand new chipboard units with wood worm holes before so not unheard of. The holes are caused by them burrowing their way out, not in.

It can be treated, in a boat i would think a brush application of some rentokill type woodworm treatment, the active ingredient needs to be Permetherin gloves googles etc etc and then monitor it, maybe take a photo for visual record. if it reoccurs you may have to get the boat sprayed in all the hard to reach places

 

[coopec]

I'd do some research on using Propylene Glycol (or cuprinol) to treat dry rot and other problems on boats (Don't use Ethylene Glycol (radiator coolant) as exposure to that can cause kidney damage). If you paint Propylene Glycol over paint it goes through the paint and into the wood!

http://alsnetbiz.com/homeimprovement/homemade.html
https://www.smithandallan.com/documents/SDSCR683 Cuprinol Woodworm Killer _F_ 4.pdf

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifesty...585/How-can-I-detect-and-treat-wood-worm.html

 

[fisherman]

My friend just had his GRP boat written off due to termite damage, in the Windies. They had eaten the mast step and the softer elements of the flooring, while the boat was ashore for the summer. Cures on offer were fumigation or an overwinter up north.