Woodworm survey process
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Woodworm Treatment Specialist
At Peter Cox we understand the challenges homeowners face with woodworm. With over 70 years of experience, we are a UK market leader in property preservation. If you suspect a woodworm infestation in your home, contact us today to arrange a professional survey to correctly identify your problem.
What is Woodworm?
Woodworm is the common name given to the larvae of various wood-boring beetles that can infest and damage your property. However, in general, a UK householder will be describing damage made by the Common furniture beetle (Anobium punctatum).
These beetles lay their eggs on wood, and when the larvae hatch, they tunnel through the timber, feeding on carbohydrates within the wood, such as cellulose. This feeding process during a woodworm infestation weakens the timber, making it less structurally sound. Therefore, it's crucial for homeowners to recognise the signs of a woodworm problem so they can treat the infestation early and protect their homes from potential damage.
Signs you need Woodworm Treatment
Woodworm larvae, while small and hard to spot, are the culprits behind wood damage. Since they stay hidden in the timber, it's rare to see them. However, several signs can indicate an infestation and the need for woodworm treatment. Spotting fully grown beetles or the damage they leave behind are key indicators.
Sign 1 - Small round exit holes
Tiny holes, between one and three millimetre diameter, in the timber are perhaps the most obvious sign that you have a woodworm problem. These flight holes are created when the woodworm larvae pupate and hatch into adult beetles, boring their way to the surface of the timber to mate with other adult beetles and reproduce. Starting the whole woodworm life cycle all over again. However it is worth noting that holes in wood are not always woodworm or a sign of an active infestation.
Sign 2 - Frass (bore dust)
Frass is the term given to the small, fine and powdery dust that is often found near woodworm flight holes. This is actually the droppings that the larvae produce as they burrow and chew their way through your timber. If you see any emergence holes in your floorboards or other structural timber then be sure to look for evidence of larvae frass, because frass is a key sign that will let you know if the woodworm infestation is currently active.
Sign 3 - Tunnels in the wood
Tunnels left by woodworm beetles as they make their way through your timber are a clear sign of a woodworm problem, but they are, naturally, the least visible sign of woodworm and we certainly wouldn’t recommend breaking open timber to check. However, if you do notice tunnels in exposed parts of timber, we would recommend getting a professional opinion.
Sign 4 - Weak or damaged wood
Damaged timber is caused by exit holes and tunnels building up to the point where timber becomes structurally unstable. It is important though not to confuse woodworm damage with damage caused by dry rot or wet rot as these require their own unique and vastly different treatments.
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How is Woodworm Treated?
Woodworm treatments may vary depending on the species of wood-boring beetle, so accurate identification by a surveyor of the beetle causing the issue is crucial to determine the correct treatment.
Typical treatments involve applying water based insecticidal formulations, which are generally sprayed on bare wood surfaces, eliminating insects on contact or are ingested by the larvae.
While isolated infestations of common furniture beetle might be treatable with DIY sprays, it's important to seek professional advice from experts like Peter Cox for more serious cases.
More extensive infestations may require removing and replacing heavily damaged timbers which are no longer structurally sound, or using resin repair techniques.
Our Woodworm Treatment Services
At Peter Cox, our experts have the specialist knowledge and skills required to treat all types of woodworm. We are Which? Trusted Trader approved, with an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot, backed by over 2,000 independent reviews.
Our comprehensive woodworm treatment service includes:
- A survey by a local and experienced surveyor to locate the infestation, determine if it's active, and accurately identify the woodworm species.
- The surveyor will provide a detailed report with treatment solutions for bare wood once if an active infestation is confirmed.
- If you go ahead with any treatments a technician will then prepare the area indicated for the woodworm treatment. Preparation of painted or varnished timber by sanding down to bare wood before treatment.
- If necessary, the removal and replacement of heavily infested structural timbers, to make sure the area is structurally sound.
- Decorative timbers will be replaced where necessary.
Additional work such as damp proofing may be required to prevent moisture ingress, which could cause further woodworm or fungal decay issues in the future.
Why Choose Peter Cox for Woodworm Treatment
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Decades of Experience: - Peter Cox has been a leader in property preservation since 1951, providing reliable woodworm treatment and other property services for over 70 years.
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Specialist Expertise: - Our experienced and accredited surveyors have the specialist knowledge required to accurately identify woodworm and to provide effective treatment.
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Industry Accreditations: - We hold accreditations from industry bodies, including Constructionline and have an ISO 9001 registered Quality Management System which is independently assessed and certified by the BSI for best practice, demonstrating our commitment to high standards.
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Trust and Reliability: - Peter Cox is a Which? Trusted Trader and has an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot with over 2,000 reviews, reflecting our dedication to customer satisfaction.
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Comprehensive Service: - We offer a full service from survey and identification to treatment and timber repairs, ensuring all aspects of the woodworm problem are addressed.
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Long-Term Guarantees: - Where applicable we provide long-term guarantees on our timber treatments, offering peace of mind you’re home is protected long term.
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Nationwide Coverage: - With branches across the UK, we have local surveyors with local knowledge, ready to respond to your needs.
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Arrange a Woodworm Survey Today
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 and resolve the issue for you.
Woodworm Treatment FAQs
As a leading expert in woodworm treatment, we understand your woodworm infestation concerns. To provide clarity and guidance, our team has compiled answers to frequently asked questions to help you understand and address these issues effectively.
Which wood boring beetles are found in the UK?
Common Furniture Beetle
(Anobium punctatum)
The Common Furniture Beetle is the most frequently found species in the UK. It has been known to attack both softwoods and European hardwoods. The adult beetle produces flight holes approximately one to two millimetres in diameter and is chocolate brown coloured. It is able to fly. The life cycle of the beetle can range between three to five years.
Death Watch Beetle
(Xestobium rufovillosum)
Often found in old buildings, attacking sapwood and heartwood of partially hardwood. Dampness is essential for the attack to start and fungal decay is most likely to be occurring alongside the damp. Bigger than the Common Furniture Beetle, it produces flight holes of approximately 2-3mm in diameter and is greyish-brown in colour. Its life cycle averages 4 – 5 years but can extend to 10 years.
House Longhorn Beetle
(Hylotrupes Bajulus)
This large insect is mainly found in a 50-mile radius from Camberley (Surrey) and is sometimes known as the Camberley beetle. It attacks most softwoods but because of its size and ability to bore extensively through sapwood and into heartwood, the damage caused is rapid and severe. It is dull brown to black, has a life cycle of 5-11 years and can reach 25mm long. Flight holes are oval up to 6 - 10mm in size.
Wood Boring Weevil
(Euophryum confine)
Wood boring weevil can be found in decayed softwoods and hardwoods with damp conditions. The adult is 3-5mm long, blackish-brown and identifiable by its long ‘snout’. Flight holes are small, 1mm in diameter, and ragged. This insect is not treated with insecticide as dealing with the fungal decay or damp problem will often solve the problem.
Powder Post Beetles
(Lyctus brunneus)
The powderpost beetle, commonly found in the UK, specifically targets wide-pored hardwoods like oak and chestnut because the female lays eggs within these larger pores; timbers with smaller pores are typically unaffected. The reddish-brown adult, 4-7mm long, emerges via 1-2mm "shot holes," though the wood is primarily damaged by the larvae, which consume the interior, leaving a powdery residue and a thin surface layer. With a life cycle of about a year, this beetle is a primary pest in timber yards, known for reducing wood to a crumbly powder, and is increasingly found in imported wood products and laminate flooring layers, primarily infesting the sapwood.
Is Woodworm caused by Damp?
Damp problems in your property can contribute to a woodworm infestation and certain types of beetle infestation actively require damp conditions or rotten timber.
This is why woodworm infestations are often found in parts of the property that are susceptible to high humidity and damp problems such as attics and lofts, under floorboards, basements and crawl spaces. The types of ventilation problems that can lead to condensation and dry rot can also make a great breeding ground for these wood-boring pests.
That said, humidity and poor ventilation is not the only cause of woodworm and other factors such as introducing woodworm to your property in reclaimed timber or vintage/upcycled furniture can also lead to an active infestation.
What time of year does Woodworm spread?
Warmer weather usually heightens the activity of certain types of woodworm and "woodworm/flight season" is generally considered to be between April and September.
While woodworm season (emergence) begins in spring, the woodworm life cycle continues throughout the year.
After emergence, the adult beetles seek a mate, lay eggs and die within days to a few months. So far, global warming does not appear to be having a significant effect, however, there is some evidence that Deathwatch beetle (that overwinters as an adult) will emerge early if warm weather sets in.
What does a Woodworm Survey involve?
A woodworm survey from Peter Cox is the first step in addressing a potential woodworm infestation. During the survey, a professional surveyor will visit your property to locate the infestation, accurately identify the species of wood-boring beetle involved, and determine whether the infestation is active.
This assessment is crucial because different beetles may require different treatments. In some cases, the surveyor may need to lift floorboards or access roof voids to fully inspect the affected areas.
Other Timber Treatments we offer:
Next Steps
*Survey enquiries for your local branch will be directed to our dedicated central survey control teams across the UK. Calls to 0800 and 0808 numbers are free unless you are calling from a business phone, in which case the rate will be set by your provider.