Summary: Learn how to identify woodworm, detect the damage caused by woodworm and remove woodworm.
Woodworm is the term for the beetle larvae that infests wood, potentially causing widespread damage to structural timbers. If it is not treated, the wood can become irreparable and structurally unsound. Although specialist companies exist that treat timber problems such as woodworm, it is perfectly possible to treat the wood yourself.
Removing woodworm
- Identify the wood affected by woodworm and find out if the infestation is current or not. The woodworm you see may have been caused years or decades ago. To find out if the infestation is current, paint over or block the holes in the winter time, and in the spring check to see if any new holes have appeared. You may also notice on current infestations, that there is dust around the holes from where the larvae have eaten through the wood.
- You need to check if the timber needs replacing or not. Using an implement such as a screwdriver, poke into the wood. If the wood crumbles and is in poor condition most of the way through, it may need to be replaced.
- To control an infestation you will need to use insecticide. This can be harmful to the health of yourself and others in the vicinity, so check manufacturer’s instruction on how to use safely. If you are using residual insecticides in your house, you will most likely need to stay out of the house for a day or so, depending on the amount of treatment required.
- Apply the insecticide as directed, and repeat the process each year in the spring, to prevent the unwanted beetle larvae returning. It is possible to kill the adult beetles using aerosol insecticides or smoke generators.
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