How Do I Deal With Woodworm In My Home?

Many homeowners have never considered the possibility of woodworm in their homes, yet it’s a surprisingly common problem. Even though there are a lot of plastic and synthetic materials in homes these days, most families have a few wooden pieces of furniture, and therefore, boring beetles like woodworm are still a 21st century issue!

Knowing the signs of woodworm is key to being able to treat the problem quickly before it gets out of hand, so here’s what to look out for.

Woodworm – What Is It?

Despite its name, a woodworm isn’t actually a worm; it’s a wood-boring beetle in its larval stage. They look similar to a caterpillar or maggot and are very small with a fully-grown adult only reaching between 2.7 mm and 4.5 mm in length.

What Signs Should I Look For?

Although woodworm are tiny, they cause a lot of damage to wood if the infestation is overlooked. Some signs to look for include:

• Tiny exit holes. The larvae will leave very small holes measuring around 2mm in diameter when they exit the wooden surface.
• Frass. This is powder-like, fine dust that can be found around the areas where an infestation occurs.
• Dead beetles. When you see dead beetles lying around wood areas, it’s a good indicator you may have woodworm, but the infestation may not be active since the damage occurs during the insect’s larval stage.
• Weak wood. Hopefully, you’ll see the signs of an infestation before you get to this stage. If you notice damage such as crumbling edges, a woodworm problem could be the cause.

How Can I Address A Woodworm Problem?

If you’ve noticed any of these signs in the wood in your home, calling professionals to help is critical. While the signs may have been due to an older infestation that isn’t active anymore, don’t take the risk – get in contact with a specialist who can test the affected wood and give you an appropriate treatment plan.

Once the infestation is treated, you need to prevent a further problem from occurring. There are a couple of steps you can take, including:

• Reducing the humidity level in your home since woodworm will thrive in an environment with a high moisture level.
• Use a moisture meter to check your wood’s moisture content. If the reading is under 11%, that indicates woodworm are unlikely to take hold.

Should I Address A Woodworm Problem Before Selling My Home?

If you discover a woodworm problem in the wooden structures of your property, it’s wise to address it before you list it for sale. If you’re viewing properties you’re interested in buying, you should look for any telltale signs of a pest problem too. Fortunately, it’s possible to get rid of woodworm easily as long as you spot them at an early stage.

If you’re looking for a property to buy, or if you’re selling your home, don’t hesitate to call the team at Warren Powell-Richards.

We’re looking forward to helping you with your property purchasing or selling needs.