Swansea: 01792 461235
Cardiff: 02920 109649

Woodworm

MENU

What Exactly is Woodworm?

Woodworm is a general term given to wood boring insects which attack timber within a property, which can, in turn, compromise the structural integrity of a property.

Are They in My House?

There are several different species which are categorised under the term ‘wood boring insects’. Although categorised as ‘Woodworm’, the most common types are, in fact, Beetles. They can be difficult to spot due to their seasonal characteristics. They are most common from March through to September.

What Am I looking For?

The most common types of Woodworm can be easily identified as per below:

Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium Punctatum)

What does it look like?
• Small, dark, reddish.
• 3mm – 5mm in length.
• Regular lines running down its wings.
Signs of Infestation
• Round holes approximately 1.5 2mm in diameter.
• Small piles of frass seen within tunnels or on surfaces.
• Frass will have a gritty texture.

Deathwatch Beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum)

What does it look like?
• Chocolate brown in colour.
• 8mm in length.
• Patches of yellowish hairs.
Signs of Infestation?
• Round holes about 3mm diameter.
• Extensive tunnelling.
• Lots of frass usually present; frass is 'bun' shaped, readily visible to the naked eye.

Woodboring Weevils (Euophryum confine and Pentarthrum huttoni)

What does it look like?
• Small, brown and black.
• Up to 5mm in length.
• Distinctive long snout.
• Antennae one third distance along snout.
Signs of Infestation
• Tunnelling in sapwood tends to run along the grain.
• Destruction is most commonly seen in damp skirting boards and embedded joist ends.
• Tunnels are narrow, around 1mm diameter.
• Frass is likely to be 'sticky' due to the dampness

They Sound Horrible. What Do I Do?

The most important element of treating a Woodworm infestation is the initial identification, as different species warrant different treatment types. Identification will take place during your Timber Survey, which is conducted by PCA accredited surveyors. Once we have successfully identified your infestation, we can provide the most effective course of treatment.
White Rock Property Care technicians will, preferably, opt to use a water based spray treatment for its effectiveness in killing Woodworm infestations. This method of treatment is also advantageous to home owners as it takes effect over a short period of time, allowing them to return to their property mere hours later.

Once our technicians are suitably dressed in their protective work wear and have prepared the area for treatment, spraying the infested timbers will commence and continue for an hour as it is absorbed into the wood. The spray will kill off any live Woodworm and eggs on or near the surface. Any remaining Woodworm within the timber will be killed off as they make their way to the surface.

Preventing Future Woodworm Infestations

There are some useful tips we can happily share to try to avoid future infestations of Woodworm:
• Try to keep as much wood as possible outside of your property - firewood
• Try to eliminate damp as much as you can from your property – Woodworm will be attracted to damp timber.

Request a Survey

BOOK NOW
×