Permethrin, fenvalerate, fenpropathrin, fenitrothion, lindane and chlordane were evaluated as surface-applied wood protectants against Lyctus brunneus (Steph.), and the mode of protection is discussed. Pairs of adults were confined with pieces of sapwood of red meranti (a tropical timber) three days after these had been dipped in emulsion concentrates of the compounds. The minimum effective concentrations were 40 p.p.m. for fenpropathrin, fenvalerate and lindane, 200 p.p.m. for permethrin and fenitrothion and 1000 p.p.m. for chlordane. Fenpropathrin, fenvalerate and permethrin were effective because they totally inhibited oviposition, but the effectiveness of chlordane was possibly due to the death of the larvae on hatching. In the case of fenitrothion and lindane, larvae that had died immediately after hatching were found in the wood treated at 200 p.p.m., but after treatment at 1000 p.p.m., no larvae were found. The protective action appeared to be dependent on the concentration -- AATA