Capricornes, house borers, woodworms: preventive and curative timber-frame protection.
On the French Riviera, and particularly in Monaco and seaside communes, construction and joinery wood is attacked by several xylophage species — each with its own life cycle and attack mode. The humid-warm Mediterranean climate accelerates these insects' development, and the concentration of old buildings with traditional framing (Vieux-Nice, Antibes old town, hinterland hamlets) makes it a regional priority.
## The main enemies of wood on the Riviera
**House longhorn beetles (*Hylotrupes bajulus*).** Larvae in resinous wood (fir, spruce). Characteristic chewing sound, very fine sawdust at the beam base. Without intervention, can destroy a frame in 10-15 years.
**Woodworms (*Anobium punctatum*, *Xestobium rufovillosum*).** Small round holes in wood (1-3 mm), powdered sawdust. Very frequent in old furniture, parquet and woodwork.
**Dry rot (*Serpula lacrymans*).** Wood-eating fungus, not an insect but equivalent wood treatment. Appears in chronic humid areas. The Riviera's saline climate accelerates its development.
## Our protocol
**1. Certified inspection.** Visual diagnosis + tip sounding + acoustic diagnosis (xylophone) on suspect areas. Species identification, attack-depth assessment, healthy/infested wood mapping.
**2. Detailed quote.** Treatment plan zone by zone, product type, application mode (pressure injection / residual spraying / trapping), guaranteed duration. Transparent pricing per linear or square metre.
**3. Preparation and brushing.** Wood cleaning, removal of the wormed superficial layer, gallery exposure to optimise product penetration.
**4. Curative treatment.** Pressure injection in load-bearing wood (frame, beams, joists) via one-way injection pegs. Residual spraying on accessible surfaces. Regulatory-compliant products, low volatility, approved for occupied environments.
## When to intervene
- During a **renovation**: this is the ideal time to treat — accessible wood, no occupancy, product optimisation. - On **suspect sound** in a frame, **sawdust** at the base of a beam, **holes** in old furniture. - On **old heritage**: systematic prevention for buildings before 1948 and period furniture.
## For whom
Private villa owners, condominium associations and managers of old buildings, hotels and palaces with wood heritage (lounge panelling, solid-wood staircases, exposed frames), antique dealers and art galleries.
Free on-site audit, detailed quote as soon as possible.
Why MPS for wood treatment in Monaco?
- Monaco-based company, fast intervention from Monaco to Monaco.
- In-depth knowledge of the local fabric: villas, condominiums, restaurants, hotels, yachts.
- Integrated pest management: we minimise biocide use and select the most environmentally friendly products.
- Digital report after every visit, accessible 24/7 from your client area.
- Absolute discretion: unmarked vehicles, civilian attire, NDA available.