Woodworm types:

There are a number of species of woodworm; the method of treatment will depend on which species is attacking your timber.

The most common species of woodworm in the UK is the common furniture beetle (Anobium punctatum). This species can be identified by the small, round holes it leaves on the surface of timber (approx. 2mm diameter) and the "gritty" bore-dust that it leaves behind.

Identifying a problem:

There are two things to be thought about in identifying woodworm as a problem.

1 Timber may have already been treated even though the woodworm holes are still visible. In these cases no further action should be necessary.

2 If the holes are new, they are clean wood dust is often visible in the holes. In these circumstances, treatment is necessary.

Controlling an infestation:

One important method of prevention is to take care that infested wood, particularly infested furniture, is not introduced into your house. Wood can be protected from infestation and existing infestations eradicated by treatment with a commercial wood preservative, persistent contact insecticidal fluid, or preservative-insecticide mixture sold for 'woodworm' control. These chemicals are made up in appropriate solvents designed to give maximum penetration of the wood and can be applied by brushing, spraying or pressure-injection (although the latter method usually requires specialised services from a pest control company).

Commercial products for household use should be available from garden centres and from our website (see below).

The success of insecticide treatment depends largely on the thoroughness with which the fluid is applied. Special attention should be given to rough, unpainted or unpolished surfaces, as these are the places where eggs are laid. In addition to brushing or spraying the fluid over all free surfaces, it should be injected into the exit holes using a small syringe. After treatment, it is best to fill all exit holes with wax or, if you wish to hide the holes completely, with plaster or wood-filler which can be stained and polished to match the wood. Filling the holes makes it easier to detect the appearance of any fresh holes and so decide when the infestation has ended.

The best time to apply insecticides to wood is in spring (March-May) when the insects are near the surface of the wood, just before they emerge, and so are more accessible to the insecticide. The life cycle of most wood-boring beetles lasts more than one year, so that to achieve complete eradication it is essential to repeat the treatment each year until signs of the attack disappear. The treatment of house timbers is usually a task for a specialist firm. Where the attack has been so severe that the strength of timbers is affected, replacement of parts may be unavoidable. Floorboards, panelling, etc., may have to be removed in order to treat the under surfaces and joists. In confined areas such as roof spaces, attics or cellars, the use of insecticide fumigation or smoke generators offer a means of preventing re-infestation by killing the adult beetles. Consult a specialist pest control company in dealing with any extensive problem of this kind, especially where structural timbers may be involved.