Woodworm treatment Norwich, NorfolkTreating Woodworm and Timber Infestation

Woodworm is the generic term for a number of species of wood-boring insects. The insects lay their eggs on timber and their larvae bore through the wood thus damaging and weakening the structure. The larvae then pupate before emerging as adult beetles and flying off to lay eggs on fresh timber.

It is the emerging adult that leaves the tell-tale flight holes and bore-dust – often the first signs of infestation. The most common wood-boring insect infesting structural timbers in buildings in this country is the Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium Punctatum). The adult beetle is approximately 3mm long and dull brown in colour. Its life cycle averages 3 years.

The flight holes are circular and approximately 2mm in diameter. Early identification of woodworm infestation means that treatment with insecticide will bring the life cycle to an end. It also prevents re-infestation. Any heavily infested and unsound timber will require to be replaced with new treated timber.

Aqua-Dri also provides eradication treatment for Dry Rot (Serpula Lacrymans) including replacing timbers and full reinstatement.

Woodworm treatment

To protect your structural and decorative timbers, you must learn how to treat and eradicate Woodworm.

Our guide will outline several DIY woodworm treatment methods we recommend you try to solve small infestations yourself. However, for more severe infestations, you are more likely to need to hire a woodworm specialist who will fumigate or spray the property. Woodworm problems can be eliminated in any property – old or new – using our woodworm treatment process, which has been assessed and accredited by leading trade bodies.

Call 01603 413631 to speak to our local Norwich & Norfolk team to schedule a survey.

How can you tell if you have an active woodworm infestation?

The actual presence of a woodworm infestation can be challenging to detect because of their life cycle, as they spend all of their time embedded within the wood.

It is well known that exit holes indicate the presence of woodworms. The problem is that they do not necessarily imply an ongoing infestation, as they can have been the reason for Woodworm’s previous, minor infestation.

Because of this, we constantly search for evidence of Frass on the other side of the exit hole. As woodworm larvae chew through internal timbers, they leave behind a speck of fine powdery dust; this is evidence that Woodworm is active in the house.

You will need to take measures to control and eradicate the infestation if you observe other signs of Woodworm, such as live woodworm beetles in your home.

Treatment of woodworms by our specialists in Norwich & Norfolk

The first thing we do before carrying out any treatment is to determine if it is actually needed in the first place.

In the first step, a qualified surveyor will visit the property to see whether there is an infestation occurring, identify the species involved and see if the infestation is active.

A Woodworm Survey consists of the following tasks:

  • Determine the type and extent of Beetle damage in the home.
  • Analyse whether any associated problems, like damp or dry rot, have been caused by the damp timbers.
  • Identify if the woods need replacing or repairing or if they remain structurally sound.
  • Advise on the most effective treatment method, be it fogging, spraying or brushing.

How our team treat Woodworm

Aqua Dri uses a woodworm treatment once Woodworm has been identified in a property. This formula is specially designed to treat large areas through spraying or to treat localised infestations via brushing.

It eliminates beetles and larvae and is a certified woodworm treatment for floorboards, oak beams, lofts and attics.

Wood and timber are treated with woodworm treatment in the following ways:

  • Once the larvae hatch, they will ingest the treatment and die if the female lays eggs on the surface of the timber.
  • As the beetles emerge from the wood at the end of their lifecycle, they ingest the treatment, killing them before they have a chance to mate or lay eggs.

After treatment has dried, your treated room can be reoccupied in just one hour, minimising any disruption.

Is our woodworm killer solution safe?

During our woodworm treatment processes, we use a water-based microemulsion insecticide that is non-flammable, low odour, and approved by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). After one hour from treatment, you can occupy rooms again with no problems.

Does woodworm treatment depend on the type of Woodworm?

Woodworm infestations vary widely in nature, and not all will require treatment. Be aware of which species are present in your home. In reality, only a few species can pose any threat to the timbers of your home. They are:

  • The common furniture beetle
  • Beetle known as the Deathwatch,
  • Weevil that bores into the wood,
  • House Longhorn.

What is the price of treating woodworms?

First, we would have to do a survey on the property to arrive at an accurate estimate of its cost.

The specifics of the report will affect the price. Here are some of the factors that will determine it:

  • Detailed information about how extensive the infestation is.
  • Treatment needed – may range from complete house fumigation to localised spraying or brushing.
  • Whether structural timbers need to be replaced or repaired.

Woodworm treatment you can do yourself.

You can find many DIY treatments and “woodworm killers” in hardware stores. They are often incredibly effective, especially on furniture in case of localised infestations when a DIY woodworm treatment generally suffices and no professional woodworm treatment is required.

If you suspect Woodworm has entered your timber frames, it is always best to get a professional survey and follow their recommendations for how to treat Woodworm.

It can take between six and ten years for these pests to hide in timbers, making it incredibly difficult to determine just how bad the infestation is until it’s too late and the beam, joist, or surface is destroyed.

Additionally, even though our woodworms use safe chemicals for long-term use, they must follow COSHH regulations when applying them. When treating structural timbers and floorboards, our employees wear protective clothing and equipment.

Keeping your home free of Woodworm

Typically, wood-boring beetles tend to feed on damp wood caused by leaks or high moisture, resulting from inadequate ventilation in homes or commercial properties. By laying eggs in the wood, larvae can feed on it quickly, and the wood also mimics what is in their natural habitat.

Consequently, the best way to prevent woodworm infestations is to provide sufficient ventilation throughout the property to prevent moist air from trapped inside the residence and soaking into wood surfaces.

Bringing second-hand furniture home can also lead to infestations. As a result, like an antique or upcycled piece of furniture with signs of woodworm damage, you will often notice it to be the common furniture beetle. In most cases, woodworms in furniture have long been exterminated, but it is possible to introduce an active infestation when you buy furniture. Therefore, it is always important to inspect any furniture before buying it.

You can get treatment for woodworms by contacting the experts.

You can speak with our specialists at any time if you have concerns about a potential woodworm infestation. Our Norwich based woodworm surveyor can inspect your home if necessary to assess the extent of your woodworm infestation and provide you with a woodworm treatment plan to eliminate the pests. Our local team of technicians is available to provide you with the certified woodworm treatment if you agree to proceed.

If you want a free survey, please email us or call your local Aqua Dri branch on 01603 413631.