[Strawbale] Re: psocids

[peter van balen]

Thanks René and Chug,

The bales are pretty dry; the were very dry when put in place (because 
they'd been stored in a polytunnel) and I'm (99%) sure there's no humidity 
problem: the outside of the walls is, temporarily, covered with a waterproof 
and vapour open rainscreen; the inside is not covered; the roof is 
waterproof (rainscreen + tiles); humidity measurements don't show damp 
spots. I don't see millions of them either: a few dozen or so per window bay 
(that's where they are more visible, I guess).

So I remain a bit puzzled (maybe they're not psocids?)
Peter

PS: We'll start plastering mid-August


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Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2008 21:43:23 +0200
From: Rene Dalmeijer <rene.dalmeijer at hetnet...>
Subject: [Strawbale] Re: Strawbale Digest, Vol 34, Issue 1
To: strawbale at amper....muni.cz
Message-ID: <83AC0754-4377-48D1-AB00-5A5390DD7035 at hetnet...>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes

Peter,

The house I just built had some psocid infestation a few weeks ago.
But now the moisture levels have dropped again after the finish
plaster they have disappeared again as is the case in all the
instances I know about. psocids need some moisture. Possibly there is
an area somewhere maybe on the outside of the walls where the moisture
is sufficiently higher to support the psocids. You should strive
though to add the first layer of plaster as soon as possible inside
and out. This is a sure cure to psocids with dry bales if they persist
it is a sure sign of moisture somewhere.

Rene

> Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2008 20:18:41 +0200
> From: "peter van balen" <peter at tentotwo...>
> Subject: [Strawbale] Re: insects (Psocids)
> To: <strawbale at amper....muni.cz>
> Message-ID: <000501c8decb$8e1aaf60$0b01a8c0 at peter>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Does anyone lnow of these little insects to be present (in small
> numbers?)
> in dry straw bales ? We've got 2-3mm long insects coming out of the
> bales, I
> think, (and only visible when "walking" over the woodwork), that
> look like
> this : 
> http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/strawbales/Psocids?authkey=m9uYiMySu7g
> The bales were very dry (having been stored in a polytunnel; measured
> humidity in straw 8-10%) when put in the house (as in-fill); now the
> measured humidity has increased till about 15%, still fine I think.
> The
> bales have not been plastered (yet).
> Any thoughts?
> Peter (van Balen)
> France
>
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Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2008 21:27:37 +0100
From: "Chug" <chug at strawbale-building....uk>
Subject: Re: [Strawbale] Re: Strawbale Digest, Vol 34, Issue 1
To: "European strawbale building discussions"
<strawbale at amper....muni.cz>
Message-ID: <001c01c8e06f$e701ddb0$0202a8c0 at Chugs>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi Peter,

Karl Jay-Lewin from the Findhorn Founfation in Scotland had quite a problem
with these in his strawbale house which persisted for several months and he
had to resort to some form of pesticide to get rid of them, I'm not sure if
Karl is on this list? if not I'll see if I can find out more info.

bale on
Chug
chug at strawbale-building....uk
http://www.strawbale-building.co.uk/