Woodworm
Wooworm

WHAT IS WOODWORM?

Woodworm is the commonly used term for a number of wood boring insects that lay eggs in timber and whose larvae bore through the wood leaving a network of small tunnels, damaging and weakening the structure.

In the UK there are 4 common types of woodworm:

  • Common furniture beetle
  • House longhorn
  • Death watch beetle
  • Woodboring weevil

 

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF WOODWORM?

There are several ways that you can spot and identify a woodworm infestation in your property. Holes on the surface of wood can indicate the presence of woodworm, with the most common woodworm species leaving numerous small, round holes between one and three millimetres in diameter.

  • Small round exit holes – tiny holes may be noticeable in timber suggesting an active woodworm infestation is present. These flight holes are created when the larvae pupate and hatch into adult beetles, boring their way to the surface of the timber to mate and reproduce.
  • Fine, powdery dust – Woodworm also often leave a trail of bore-dust, known as frass. This will be noticeable near exit holes as the beetles emerge from the wood. The presence of frass would suggest that the woodworm infestation is active and treatment is necessary.
  • Tunnels within the timber – It may be possible to see a network of small tunnels that have been bored into the wood by the larvae as they burrow inside.
  • Weak or damaged timber or floorboards – if you have noticed furniture, flooring or structural timber is noticeably weaker it could be a sign of woodworm.
  • Beetle activity outside of timber – If you notice beetles emerging from timbers, or dead beetles close to the proximity of holes then you more than likely have a woodworm infestation.
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