Out of all the types of wood boring insect that exist, woodworm, which live in the timber frames of buildings, are the most common. These insects can cause damage to the structure of a building by eating away at the untreated timber. Common furniture beetles in the UK are the culprit of wood damage and can be identified by certain telltale signs.
To check if woodworm is present, be sure to inspect humid or enclosed areas of your home. Possible concealed spots are in attics or on the underside of wooden flooring.
Woodworm is a pest that can be found in people’s homes and brings with it many problems, including the need for expensive treatments. We, however, provide carefully tailored surveys and treatments to make sure no pests remain. We inspect and treat for wood-boring beetles and larvae that cause a lot of damage to your home. Contact our experts for more information.
The Life of a Furniture Beetle
Under traditional definitions, woodworms do not meet the typical definition of a worm and the name simply refers to some species of beetle that eat through wood.
Woodworm larvae can be hard to spot, but they are typically white with a body that forms a C shape. They stay in the wood with their head pointed towards the timber at which point they return as full grown woodworms. Woodworm undergo a change in life cycle to transform into an adult. The transformation process consists of four phases.
Adult beetles lay their eggs in even spaces between the crevices and joints of wood
Larval grubs feed on cellulose for around four years and cause the wood to weaken. The larvae continue to grow until they are ready to pupate, often 30 cm tall.
The larva of the beetle forms into a cocoon before it changes into its final form.
The fully grown beetle lays its eggs in wood, then they hatch and burrow out of the wood again to mate and find a fresh log to lay their eggs in and repeat the process.
Signs You Have Woodworm
To get an idea of what to look for if your home has a woodworm problem, we suggest checking your timbers. You might find signs of an infestation almost anywhere there’s timber around the house. Wooden components that are likely to be infested by woodworm include roof trusses, joists, flooring, skirting and any wood furniture.
It can be tricky to identify the presence of woodworm, but you might notice tiny circular holes in your timber. Turing to experts for help early on will fix the problem sooner rather than later.
Frass is the ‘sawdust’ generated by active woodworm. It is difficult to see on dark coloured surfaces, but you can always spot where it has been left behind. This is the biggest indicator of an infestation problem, so if you see any contact your local damp proofing company in order to arrange a professional survey.
Treatments for Woodworm
The Property Care Association and many others have endorsed our service. We believe we provide one of the best services in the county. You can be safe in the knowledge that we’ve been treating for woodworm for over two decades. We have a proven track record.
Our Treatment Process
- A survey is conducted on a building to find the infestation level, identify the species, and see if it is still causing a problem.
- When we see signs of woodworm present, we offer treatments that can be used on naked wood or wood that has been covered with paint etc, to eradicate them.
- Damaged wood will be removed and replaced, or repaired with resin compounds applied by skilled carpenters.
- We want you to feel confident about your decision, so we offer 15-year guarantees on all our timber treatments.
Book a survey and an inspection of your property.