'This book is essential reading for anyone who works with historic buildings or who wishes to improve their knowledge and understanding of timber decay and its treatment.' - Journal of Architectural Conservation

'This book makes an important contribution towards the treatment of infested timber and provides an alternative approach to the problem....This publication need to be on the bookshelf for all involved in work to old buildings.' - Construction Books Direct'N August 2000

'I recommend the book to anyone who works with wood in buildngs, not just to those who work on their fabric. The book clearly covers everything that can cause decay in wood in this country and even extends warnings against what might do so if global warming increases!' - Conservation News

'I have no hesitation in recommending it as a very interesting read and a very useful reference work.' - Building Engineer

'Reading this meticulously researched and presented book provides the reader with a new-found confidence when confronted with timber decay in buildings. Without question, this is destined to become a key reference book for all those involved with historic buildings.' - SPAB News

This is a book about the insects and fungi that may appear in building timbers if unnoticed or unavoidable maintenance problems allow them to remain damp. There are two options if a problem is found. The building owner or occupier may require the organism to be rapidly exterminated and a document issued which seems to reassure that it will not come back. In this case they must accept generally expensive and frequently destructive chemical treatments using more or less noxious pesticides. Unfortunately each decade's panacea has usually become the next decade's poison and a pesticide accepted as `safe' has proved elusive. Pesticides may be used in a `safe manner' and this is the province of the remedial company, but legislation is continuously evolving and pesticides are becoming increasingly unpopular. The second option is to take a little time and to consider the problem. This may not always be possible, but in many situations a little background knowledge can make a considerable difference. Frequently an understanding of why the damage has occurred, together with an understanding of insect or fungi requirements and limitations, can reduce treatments or show that they are unnecessary.