Woodworm is a term used to refer to a couple of beetle species that inhabit the UK, namely the Common Furniture Beetle and the Death Watch Beetle. Alongside damp, condensation and mould, woodworm is a very real threat to London homes and in this short article, we take a close look at the causes, tell-tale signs and treatments for this invasive insect.
What are the causes of woodworm?
Woodworm are attracted to damp wood, where adult females prefer to lay their eggs and a damp, humid environment makes it even more attractive. They burrow into the wood to lay their eggs, which eventually turn into larvae that burrow further into timber, devouring the material causing it to degenerate. If not treated, woodworm can destroy timber sections and replacement is the only practical solution.
Tell-tale signs of woodworm
Sure signs of woodworm include tiny holes with small mounds of wood dust next to the holes; the eggs are creamy white in colour and you might see a few on the floor, along with woodwork droppings and perhaps the odd dead adult beetle. If you notice any of these signs, contact London Damp Surveys and we will arrange for one of our certified damp inspectors to survey your property to determine the presence of woodworm.
Woodworm treatments
While there are DIY treatments, we don’t recommend that you go down this avenue, as a home fix rarely works; to exterminate all the larvae is not an easy thing to do; the professionals seal off a space and apply chemical solutions that reach all the insects. In some cases, the timber decay is such that replacement is the only option; replacing a timber floor is never going to be cheap. A team of woodworm experts would use a synthetic neurotoxin that is highly effective, ridding the property of destructive insects and if there are woodworm in your London home, we’ll find it and resolve it.
Excess humidity
Insects in general are attracted to moist environments; add to that a lack of air circulation and you have the perfect conditions for woodworm, insects that breed like crazy and can be difficult to spot. It might be the rafters, the flooring or window and door frames; once eggs are laid, the process begins and when the eggs turn into larvae, they feed on wood, decaying the material in double-quick time. The sooner you do something about it, the easier the removal is, although success is not always guaranteed if you do it yourself. Create ventilation by opening windows and using extractor fans, woodworm do not like dry air, so make sure the house has good airflow.
If you suspect woodworm might be present, call London Damp Surveys on 0207 305 5997 or fill in the online form and we can arrange for one of our certified surveyors to inspect your London home.
