Woodworm treatment

Understanding how to treat woodworm and get rid of the larvae will ensure that your structural and decorative timbers are not compromised by these wood boring beetles.

Thankfully there are several DIY woodworm treatment methods you can attempt yourself to solve small infestations that our guide will outline below, while for more serious problems you will likely have to consider specialist woodworm fumigation or spray treatment. Our woodworm treatment process has been assessed and accredited by leading trade bodies to eliminate woodworm problems in any property - new or old. To speak to your local team contact us today on 0800 633 5712 or book a survey online using our contact form.

• What are the signs of a woodworm infestation
• Treating woodworm yourself
• Specialist woodworm treatment
• How much does woodworm treatment cost

The woodworm life cycle means it can be difficult to identify if there is an active infestation or not as they spend all of their time embedded within the wood.

Exit holes are the most well-known indicator of the presence of woodworm. The problem is that they do not necessarily mean that you have a current infestation as they could have been the source of a previous, minor case of Woodworm which has since cleared up.

That is why we always try to identify evidence of Frass outside the exit hole. This fine powdery dust is the waste woodworm larvae leave behind as they chew through the internal timbers and demonstrates that Woodworm is currently active in the home.

Of course, if you are seeing other signs of woodworm like live woodworm beetles appearing in your home, then the problem is immediate and you will need to take steps to control and eradicate the infestation.

Our qualified woodworm surveyor will:

• Diagnose the type of Beetle present in the home and the extent of damage caused.
• Identify if the damp timbers have resulted in associated problems like wet or dry rot.
• Determine if affected timbers remain structurally sound or require to be replaced or repaired.
• Recommend the most effective form of treatment, whether that be applying a woodworm killer solution via fogging, spray or localised brushing.

Once woodworm has been identified in the property, the technicians at Peter Cox use a unique woodworm treatment known as ‘Insectasure’. This specially designed insecticide formula can be applied to large areas via spray or used to treat localised infestations by brush. It has been proven to treat timbers, eliminate beetles and larvae, and is a certified woodworm treatment for floorboards, furniture, oak beams, lofts and attics.

Once the wood and timbers have been treated with InsectaSure woodworm treatment, the active ingredients work in the following ways:

• If a female lays eggs on the surface of the timber when the larvae hatch they will ingest the treatment and die.
• Beetles already in the wood will ingest the treatment as they emerge out of the wood at the end of their lifecycle, killing them before they have the chance to mate and lay eggs.
• Treated rooms can be reoccupied just one hour after treatment has dried, minimising disruption to you.

It is important to identify the species of woodworm present in your home because not all actually require treatment. Indeed only a select few pose any danger to the timbers in your home, these are:

• Common furniture beetle
• Deathwatch beetle
• Wood boring Weevil
• House Longhorn

You can read more about these woodworm species on our guide to woodworm page.

To arrive at an accurate estimate of how much any of our treatments would cost we would first have to conduct the survey at the property.

Naturally, the findings of the report will affect the final price and this will be determined by factors such as:

• The extent of the infestation.
• Scale of treatment required - ranging from full house fumigation to localised spraying or brushing.
• Do structural timbers need to be repaired or replaced.

There are many DIY treatments and “woodworm killers” available in hardware shops that they can be very effective, particularly on furniture. If you are certain the infestation is localised to a sideboard, chair or dresser, then professional woodworm treatment is not required and a DIY woodworm treatment will usually suffice.

If you suspect woodworm has got into the timber frames of your property then we would always recommend getting a professional survey and following their advice on treating woodworm. These pests can spend between six to ten years hidden in your timbers making it incredibly hard to determine how severe the infestation is until it is too late and the wooden beam, joist, or surface has been structurally compromised.

Also, while our professional woodworm uses chemicals that are safe long-term, their application does require strict observation of COSHH regulations. This is why our team use protective clothing and equipment when treating structural timbers and floorboards.

Wood-boring beetles in homes and commercial properties are usually drawn to damp timber caused by leaks or high relative humidity caused by inadequate ventilation. This makes the wood similar to what they would find in their natural habitat, simple to lay eggs into and easy for the larvae to feed.

As a result, the best way to prevent woodworm problems is to ensure there is an adequate source of ventilation in the property that will prevent humid air and moisture from becoming stuck in the home and soaking into your wood and timber surfaces.

Another source of infestations is bringing home second-hand furniture. The common furniture beetle gets its name because in days gone by the most significant damage caused by woodworm was in beech furniture and you will often find signs of woodworm damage in antique or upcycled furniture as a result. The woodworm in these pieces is often long gone, but it is possible to bring an active infestation into your home with a furniture purchase, so you should always inspect any pieces before taking them home.

One look at Trustpilot shows that Peter Cox are among the highest rated woodworm treatment experts in the UK. Check out some of the reviews below to see why our customers love us.

If you are worried about a potential woodworm infestation in your property then get in touch with our specialist team to discuss it. If necessary we can send a qualified woodworm surveyor to your home to assess the extent and severity of the problem and provide you with a woodworm treatment plan to get rid of the pests. If you are happy to proceed then we have a team of local technicians ready to get started applying our certified woodworm treatment solution

Get in touch with us today by contacting your local branch of Peter Cox on 0800 633 5712 or click the button below to book a survey.