WHAT IS WOODWORM?
Woodworm refers to the larvae stage of wood boring beetles. These adult beetles can affect your property by laying eggs in timber. The larvae hatch from the eggs, then burrow and eat their way through the timber. If left untreated, the larvae can cause structural damage to the timber in your property. Understanding how to identify the signs of an infestation will help you start the process of getting rid of woodworm in your home.
Our woodworm guide below will explain:
- What do woodworm look like?
- Signs of woodworm
- Woodworm life cycle
- Types of wood boring insect
- How to prevent woodworm
- How much does woodworm treatment cost?
- What is involved in a woodworm survey?
- Can I treat woodworm myself?
- Woodworm treatment
WHAT DO WOODWORM LOOK LIKE?
Woodworm larvae tend to have a curved body and a creamy white colour. However, it is arguably more important to know what an adult wood boring beetle looks like. This is because larvae tend to stay inside the timber until they are a fully grown beetle. This means it is more likely you will see an adult beetle than ever seeing a woodworm larvae.
SIGNS OF WOODWORM
FRASS
Frass is a fine dust-like substance. It is woodworm faeces and can indicate an active woodworm infestation. Frass is often found near exit holes in the timber.
EXIT HOLES
Exit holes (also known as emergence holes or flight holes) is a common sign of a woodworm infestation. The holes tend to be between 2mm and 5mm. The holes are formed from where the adult beetle has burrowed out of the wood, in search of new timber. This does not always signal if the woodworm infestation is still active, as the holes could be evidence of a previous infestation.
TUNNELS
Tunnels are created from the woodworm burrowing through the timber. The tunnels may not always be visible, but an indication that there has at some point been a woodworm infestation..
VISIBLE DAMAGE
This tends to come in the appearance of crumbling skirting boards or weakened floorboards. It’s damage that has been caused by the larvae eating their way through the timber.
DEAD OR ALIVE BEETLES
Actually finding live beetles is the most certain sign of a woodworm infestation. You may spot beetles exiting timber in search of somewhere to lay eggs. It is also possible to find dead beetles near the exit holes.
WOODWORM LIFE CYCLE
The Common Furniture Beetle’s cycle begins when the adult beetle lays her eggs in the wood. The eggs hatch into larvae that survive by tunnelling and eating their way through the wood over a two to five year period. This is when woodworm damage occurs. The larvae evolve into beetles that emerge from the exit holes. These beetles will then look for nearby timber to lay its eggs, and the cycle starts over again. The mating cycle tends to occur between April and November.
TYPES OF WOOD BORING INSECT
The four main types of woodworm found in the UK are the following:
Common Furniture Beetle
The common furniture beetle tends to be the most common type of woodworm beetle found in homes in Scotland. It’s brown in colour and 3-4 mm in length. Despite its name, the “furniture beetle” is often found in joinery and structural timbers. This woodworm beetle attacks softwood species of timber leaving 1-2 mm exit holes. It generally prefers damp, rather than dry wood and the grub will head for, and stays in, plywood for longer than any other timber
Death Watch Beetle
They tend to be dark red brown in colour, and slightly larger at 5-7mm in length. They tend to be attracted to hardwood softened by fungal decay. This means they’re often found in older buildings, where timbers may have been exposed to decay such as dry rot.
House Longhorn Beetle
It is unlikely to find this beetle in Scotland. Within the UK, it is more commonly found in the south west, having earned the nickname “Camberley Beetle”. They’re reddish brown in colour and 7-25mm in length. The woodworm larvae usually matures in the spring and the mature adults then cut holes 6-10mm in diameter to exit the wood.
Powder Post Beetle
The adult beetle is 4-7mm in length, and red/brown in colour. They tend to be attracted to hardwoods such as oak, elm and walnut.
HOW TO PREVENT WOODWORM
The main step you can take to try to prevent woodworm is to never ignore damp timber in your home. Woodworm are attracted to damp timber to lay its eggs, as it’s easier for its larvae to chew. Treat any damp patches in your property that may affect structural timber. This won’t mean that an infestation can’t occur, but it will make your property a less suitable breeding ground.
The second step is to always check antique furniture for any signs of a woodworm problem. If you notice any of the tell tale signs above, you should make sure it has been treated, and no longer has an active infestation.
HOW MUCH DOES WOODWORM TREATMENT COST?
The cost of treatment can vary due to factors such as the extent of the infestation and scale of treatment required. For example, repairing structural timbers tends to be cheaper than replacing them. An exact cost for professional treatment can be estimated after a woodworm survey, where the extent of the problem can be determined.
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN A WOODWORM SURVEY?
If you are unsure about whether or not you have a woodworm problem, you may benefit from a woodworm survey from a professional surveyor. A surveyor will:
- Carry out a thorough inspection of the timber to determine to the extent of any problem and the species of woodworm.
- Determine if the infestation is active, and if treatment is required.
- Check for associated problems such as wet rot, dry rot or damp and if any timbers need replacing.
- Following the survey, the surveyor will send you a detailed written survey report. The report will confirm the extent of repair needed and/or timber replacement required and any incidental treatment required for the remaining infected areas.
CAN I TREAT WOODWORM MYSELF?
Depending on the extent of the problem, there are “woodworm killer” products available in hardware stores. These can be effective if the woodworm infestation is localised to one piece of furniture. As woodworm killer products can contain chemicals, it is crucial you follow all instructions carefully and safely. If the infestation is more extensive and affecting floorboards and other wooden structures, we would recommend you seek professional advice. Using a DIY woodworm killer to treat an extensive infestation is less likely to be successful, if you can’t determine how far the pests have spread.
WOODWORM TREATMENT
At Wise Property Care, woodworm treatment can be applied using spray treatments and injection treatments:
Spray treatments
We use water based solution that can be sprayed onto large areas, or applied via brush for a localised area. This solution is a highly effective woodworm treatment, and can be used on lofts, attics, floorboards, furniture and oak beams.
Injection treatments
Depending on the type of wood boring beetle, insecticide injections into the timber may be required. For example, infestations of Deathwatch beetles can be treated using injections. This is because they have the potential to burrow deep within the wood. It is injected deep into the flight holes left by adult beetles. This is an effective woodworm killer for the remaining larvae, who will be killed before causing more structural damage.
NEED A LITTLE MORE HELP REGARDING WOODWORM
At Wise Property Care, we are experts at identifying and treating woodworm problems that invariably lead to damaged timber. All of our woodworm treatments come with a 20 year property repair guarantee, giving you long-term peace of mind that your property problems are over.
If you suspect your property may require woodworm treatment, call Wise Property Care today or complete the form below to woodworm survey.
