Firstly, let us clear up a misconception – woodworm is not actually a worm! It is actually a beetle and many people also think that it is common in old furniture but, in all honesty, this is not always the case.

Woodworm actually refers to the larvae of any wood-boring beetle, with the most common woodworm in the UK being:

• Common furniture beetle
• Deathwatch beetle
• House longhorn beetle
• Powderpost beetle

All the beetles named above invade and eat wood, only leaving it when they reach maturity.

How do you know if items of furniture are infested?

In a nutshell, you don’t until there are some tell-tale signs; wood can be infected with eggs or larvae without you knowing, with discovery being some time later. Many people think that woodworm only affects old properties or furniture but it can strike anywhere and is just as common in modern, newly built homes.

Tell-tale signs are:

• Small round holes in woodwork – some say they look similar to holes in a dart board
• Around these holes, you may find a fine, powdery dust
• Edges may be crumbly
• You may also see adult beetles emerging from the holes too

Some customers do not always see holes but the dust – known as frass – can be spotted underneath furniture and other wooden items. However, it may be a new infestation but left over from a previous problem.

Is woodworm on the increase?

It is hard to judge this accurately but, with the recent resurgence in interest of ‘upcycling’ – that is, buying or acquiring old furniture and giving it a modern twist – it may be that some items of furniture with dormant woodworm is being given a new lease of life in more ways than one.

However, follow these tips to help you decide if you do have a problem but, if you are still not sure, why not give us a call? We would happy to take a look!

• If you think you have a woodworm infestation, then call a professional to IDENTIFY the woodworm beetle in question. Once this is known, the correct treatment can take place.
• Adult beetle emerge from the wood to breed and this happens between May and September; these holes can be ‘blocked’ with emulsion or masking tape and, by checking in the spring if you have any beetles emerging, you will know whether the infestation is active or not.
• Woodworm prefer moist wood – with a humidity level of 18% or more – so if you have had a damp issue within your home, this may be a green light for woodworm beetle.

Getting the right treatment for the right woodworm beetle

There are estimates that there are between 50,000 and 150,000 chemical treatments per year for woodworm, although the vast majority of these are thought to be unnecessary, simply because people have diagnosed the issue wrongly and bought a DIY remedy.

If you think you have a woodworm infestation, get an expert opinion – call SOS Pest Control.