Woodworm Treatment in a Roof Void in Gloucestershire

Thornbury is a market town located in Gloucestershire, and is 15 miles north of Bristol. The town is over 900 years old and there is a mix of property types, using different  construction methods over the centuries. Highlights of this can be seen in the Victorian street frontages and landmarks like neo-Georgian former fire station.

The Peter Cox Bristol team and local surveyor had been called to a residential bungalow after the homeowner spotted evidence of a woodworm infestation.

Peter Cox Bristol team were instructed to carry out a damp and timber survey to the property to confirm whether or not there was an active woodworm infestation

A damp and timber survey is a detailed inspection of all accessible timbers within a property. This can mean peeling back carpets (with permission of course) to reveal floorboards. It’s important to inspect the joists beneath floorboards as often this is where woodworm infestations or fungal decay is found.

There will also be an inspection of the roof timbers, visually checking all the rafters, purlins and any other structural timbers in the roof space. This will allow the surveyor to visually assess for any signs of a woodworm infestation.

Woodworm is a generic term and it actually refers to a wide range of different wood boring insects, the surveyor will look for identifying features such as:

• Identifying holes in the timber, and the size of them to confirm the type of woodworm
• Bore dust (frass) to confirm whether it is active or not
• Tunnels beneath the surface of the timber and evidence of any larvae that can be seen
• Beetle carcases nearby, sometimes caught in cobwebs

All of these will help determine the type of beetle, the severity of the attack and if it is historic or active.

In this property our surveyor inspected two different roof spaces due to the construction of the bungalow. The first inspection didn’t reveal any infestation, however the inspection of the second void showed significant signs of woodworm. 1-2mm emergence holes were dotted along the purlins with a gritty frass clearly visible around the exit holes and dropping down onto stored boxes below.

This was confirmed by our surveyor as a Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium punctatum) infestation. This beetle accounts for more than 80% of all woodworm damage across the South West.

The first step of treatment for Common Furniture Beetle is to ensure the timbers are not structurally compromised; this is often undertaken by probing the timber. In this property the purlins were in sound condition and only a chemical treatment was needed.

Following our surveyors inspection he detailed all findings into a survey report, along with recommendations for treatments. In order for the technicians to apply the insecticidal treatment, stored goods in the areas needed to be removed to allow for full access and to make sure no timbers are missed.

Technicians fitted in full PPE then carried out the insecticidal spray treatment required. They covered all electrical fittings, cleaned down the timbers removing any debris, and put up warning signs showing re-entry times. The application of insecticide to the timber acts as an “envelope” treatment, meaning the  timber's surface is coated and when the larvae comes into contact or ingests the chemical it will disrupt its nervous system and die. The treatment will also prevent future infestations by killing adult beetles landing on the timber trying to lay eggs in the grain of the timber.

The roof void in this dormer bungalow located Thornbury, just up the road from our Bristol office was a success. We were able to access all the timbers within the roof void and complete the treatment, the treatment came with a 20 year woodworm guarantee offering full peace of mind against future infestations.

If you think you might have a woodworm infestation in Bristol or the surrounding areas please contact our Peter Cox Bristol who will be more than happy to help.