Woodworm Treatment Specialists Nationwide

Peter Cox are specialists in woodworm treatments, with a number of branches across the country, meaning experienced and qualified surveyors and technicians local to you.

Woodworm infestations often go unnoticed in hard to reach areas of a property, like the underside of floorboards, joists in sub floor voids or timber in the roof space. Our qualified surveyors will fully investigate your property, and provide you with a survey report covering all their findings.  

If evidence of an active woodworm infestation is found by our surveyor, we can carry out specialist woodworm sprays that break the lifecycle of the infestation, preventing any further damage. Different species of woodworm may require different recommendations and treatments.

Where timber has lost its structural integrity, we can carry out timber repairs. Our woodworm treatments typically come with a 20 year guarantee, giving you long term peace of mind.

Peter Cox are the go-to specialists for woodworm across the UK, so no matter where you are located, we have a number of specialists local to you.

We have been providing long term solutions for homeowners, commercial clients and social housing providers across the country since 1951.

With over 70 years’ experience in woodworm treatments, we combine industry-leading standards with local expertise, leaving you with peace of mind the problem is solved.

Specialist woodworm treatments are only required for active infestations. This is why it's important to first fully understand if the signs you are seeing are from a current infestation.

Signs that you may need woodworm treatments for an infestation will include the presence of fresh woodworm bore dust, known as frass, often found around newly created exit holes.

Another key sign woodworm treatments may be required is the appearance of live or dead beetles, typically found around window sills as they fly towards the light. This is common during ‘woodworm season’ which is between April and September.

If you notice these signs it may mean you have a woodworm infestation and may require a timber inspection from a trained professional to confirm.

A professional surveyor can identify the woodworm species causing the problems and whether it is still active, while also checking for any signs of damp which often cause woodworm infestations. They will then assess the condition of the timber, and provide you with a detailed survey report with their findings.

The treatment method for woodworm will vary depending on the type of species found inside the property, the extent of damage to structural timber, and whether or not damp proofing or improvements to ventilation are required.

For example, the Woodboring Weevil is a common type of woodboring pest that will only consume damp and decaying timber, meaning that there is a source of damp increasing the moisture content of timber. Solve the damp problem and the infestation will die off without the need for timber sprays. 

Common furniture beetle will often require specialist timber sprays, and efforts must be taken to both prepare the timber for treatments, while also carrying out repairs for any timber that has lost its structural integrity and removing any source of damp.

Particularly heavy woodboring beetle infestations may require the application of insecticidal paste or even the careful 'de-frassing' of the timbers to remove the heavily decayed surface so treatments can get deeper.

In some cases woodworm infestations may only be isolated to small areas, or have been brought into the property inside second hand or antique furniture. If this is the case, DIY methods could be used to treat the infestation.

For woodworm infestations found inside the home it is always recommended to seek professional advice, especially where structural timbers such as floorboards, joists, beams or roof timbers are affected.

Many homeowners, commercial clients and social housing providers turn to Peter Cox for woodworm treatments and timber repairs every year, and benefit from:

Honest Opinions from Qualified Professionals: Our CSRT and CSTDB qualified surveyors will inspect your property, identifying the full extent of damage caused by the woodworm, and provide you with a detailed report with their findings. If the woodworm infestation is no longer active and therefore no treatments are required, they will make this clear in the report.

Expert Timber Sprays and Timber Repairs: If treatments are required, our experienced technicians will carry out preparation work to timbers, before carrying out extensive woodworm treatments. They are skilled in joinery for any timber replacements required, and will carry out repairs to the highest industry standards.

Peace of mind that comes with Long Term guarantees: Thousands of properties across the UK are protected by our long term guarantees every year, with our woodworm treatments typically backed by our 20 year guarantee.

If you are unsure about whether or not you have a woodworm infestation in your property, our local and qualified surveyors are here to help.

They will conduct a damp and timber survey to fully understand the extent of the problem, whether or not the infestation is active, and assess any damage to structural timber. Often woodworm problems are caused by damp, high humidity and a lack of ventilation, so if these issues are identified they will provide recommendations.

These recommendations will be detailed in an easy to understand survey report, outlining their findings along with a breakdown of the treatments required, but only if they are necessary.

Woodworm treatments carried out by Peter Cox go above and beyond the industry standards, making sure your property is protected from woodworm long term.

Our technician will arrive at your property at an agreed time, and keep you informed about the treatment process from start to finish.

Whether the treatment process requires a specialist woodworm spray, application of paste, remedial timber repairs or elements of damp proofing, you can trust us to get the job done on time and with minimal disruption.

All Peter Cox technicians are equipped with protective floor coverings and will use Hilti dust extraction units and vacuums where necessary to keep your property clean and tidy.

If required we can cover surfaces and stored goods with dust sheets in order to keep disruption inside your property to a minimum.

Correctly identifying the woodworm problem is essential as different species require different treatment methods.

So whether its Woodboring Weevil, Deathwatch beetle or the Common furniture beetle, our treatments will be specifically targeted to the problem at hand, ensuring your property is protected.

Where specialist woodworm sprays are required, our technician will spend time removing any dust and debris from the timber surface, before carrying out treatments. This is to ensure an adequate coating on the affected areas in order to kill any eggs and emerging beetles in the future.

Time is taken to prepare areas that are hard to reach, such as roof voids, sub floor voids and the underside of floorboards. When carrying out sprays in lofts, laid insulation may need to be lifted in order to gain access, while water tanks must be covered.  

Once the technician has carried out all required preparation work, the professional woodworm sprays can then commence. The insecticidal products used will kill woodworm beetles when they bore through timber in order to reproduce, any eggs laid on the timber surface and when ingested by larvae. This will prevent the woodworm lifecycle from completing and prevent the infestation.

For some species of woodworm or deeper infestations, 'de-frassing' of the timbers to remove the heavily decayed surface or an application of insecticidal paste may also be required.

Peter Cox technicians will carry out treatments to the highest standards, taking into account the health and safety of all those within the property. Our treatments meet HSE guidelines.

Woodworm infestations thrive in timber with a high moisture content, often caused by humid conditions due to damp problems and a lack of ventilation. Woodworm larvae require moisture to live, and they obtain this from the wood they ingest. Because of this, the damper the timber, the better the food source, and the more likely a woodworm infestation will occur.

If a surveyor identifies these issues during the survey process, they will make recommendations in the survey report to rectify them. When the moisture content of timber is increased, it can cause other problems such as wet rot and dry rot. In order to protect your property long term, you must address the root cause of the problem by carrying out damp proofing or improving ventilation.

Some species of woodworm such as woodboring weevils require damp and rotten timber, and solving the source of moisture will prevent the infestation without the need for timber sprays. This is why accurate investigation is key when carrying out woodworm repairs.

Where timber has been severely damaged and lost its structural integrity, it will need to be replaced.

For historic properties where original timber must be retained where possible, timber resin repairs can be undertaken. This is a popular option for listed and historic buildings.

Sections of timber are cut back and new sections of timber spliced in, while as much of the original timbers will be retained as possible.

Peter Cox has a number of skilled joiners across the country, so you can rest assured that your property will be returned to its former condition.

The underside of floorboards are a common place to find woodworm infestations. This is often because of poor air circulation in the sub floor void, paired with damp conditions. The woodworm problem is often hidden under carpet, and only discovered once floorboards start to give way.

Peter Cox will identify damaged floorboards and replace them with new timber, while carrying out treatments for those that are still structurally sound.

Any damp conditions found in the sub floor void will also be addressed. Often airbricks have been covered or blocked by debris or extra airbricks are required to improve air circulation.

A Peter Cox technician will carry out a final sign off once all work is complete. You will then receive your long term guarantee, if applicable, providing you with the peace of mind the problem is solved long term.

Since 1951, Peter Cox has provided thousands of woodworm guarantees across the United Kingdom. Whether it's a domestic home or heritage property, we will provide you with long lasting results.

Typically our woodworm treatments are backed by our 20 year guarantee. Details of your guarantee will be provided in the survey report and if you do choose to sell your property in the future, it can be transferred to the new owners.

If you have a suspected woodworm problem and require professional treatments, get in touch with Peter Cox.

We have a number of qualified surveyors who can identify an active infestation, and experienced technicians ready to carry out professional woodworm treatments and timber repairs.

Our woodworm treatments are typically backed by our long term guarantees, so you know any active woodworm infestation is solved for good.

Choose Peter Cox for woodworm infestations and benefit from:

• Decades of property preservation expertise in professional timber treatments and repairs for woodworm and damp.
• Nationwide network of local branches, meaning a local qualified surveyor and technicians in your area.
• Our trained technicians are equipped with the right equipment and materials to get it right the first time, ensuring your property is restored and the full extent of the woodworm infestation is dealt with.
• They are equipped with protective floor coverings, Hilti dust extraction units and vacuums in order to keep your property clean and tidy. Where possible they will cover surfaces with dust sheets in order to keep disruption to a minimum.
• We are a Which? Trusted Trader member
• Rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot with more than 2,500 independent reviews.
• Typically our woodworm treatments come with a 20 year guarantee, which will be detailed in the survey report.

If you suspect that you may have a woodworm issue, then we are here to help.

The most important thing is to correctly diagnose the woodworm problem, and our fully qualified specialist surveyors will be able to do this and recommend the most appropriate course of action.

If necessary, we have a team of experienced technicians ready to get started on repairs and resolve the issue for you.

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  Is woodworm treatment spray effective?

  Yes, when accurately diagnosed and the full extent of the woodworm problem is apparent, a woodworm treatment applied by spray can be an extremely effective way of stopping a woodworm infestation. A trained technician will take the time to prepare the surfaces before treatment, in order for the chemicals to be applied correctly to the surfaces involved.

  The insecticide acts as a barrier, killing beetles when they bore through timber in order to reproduce and any eggs laid on the timber surface. Professional companies will typically provide long term guarantees because of the effectiveness of woodworm treatments.

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  Should I throw away furniture with Woodworm?

  You will not typically need to get rid of furniture with a woodworm problem unless it has become structurally unsound or completely damaged. You may be able to carry out DIY treatments using woodworm chemicals purchased at a hardware store or online. Make sure to isolate the item away from other timbers in the home, and carry out the treatments to the instructions provided. If the problem persists or you would like professional advice, you can always book a damp and timber survey for your property. You can find further advice for treating second hand furniture here.

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  What time of year is best to treat woodworm?

  Woodworm can be treated at any time of the year, but woodworm treatments are most common during the summer months because this is when occupants are most likely to come across the signs of woodworm. This is because beetles emerge between April and September. Many homeowners will only notice signs of woodworm in their loft when they go up to bring down the Christmas decorations.

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  Can you treat a woodworm infestation yourself?

  Yes. For small isolated areas, or in furniture, it is possible to carry out DIY treatments for woodworm. It is worth noting however that not all woodworm species require the same treatment, and a professional survey will be able to fully assess the extent of the infestation and the cause. Often damp problems, high humidity and a lack of ventilation can increase the risk of woodworm, so these issues must also be addressed. If treatments are applied incorrectly, or if structural timbers are severely damaged and go unnoticed, this could lead to more costly repairs in the future. You can find out more about DIY treatments here.