Woodworm in Ayrshire

Woodworms are not very common in the UK, but an infestation can be very destructive. Woodworm describes the larvae stage of a number of different species of beetle, the most common of which is the Common Furniture Beetle. These pest insects lay their eggs within damp or rotten wood. When these eggs hatch, small larvae begin to eat the wood around them, which is what creates the holes in wood. The exit holes are produced as the larvae transforms into an adult beetle which then leaves the wood. The beetles are capable of flying and will generally leave the area to breed. However, they may return to lay eggs. In severe cases, these insects can damage structural elements of a building which can have serious consequences.

Signs of a woodworm infestation include cracking noises coming from wood in the home or furniture, as well as the visual signs which are the exit holes found in wood and wood dust generally found underneath infested wood. Woodworm infestations should be treated by skilled pest control pros. It could also be necessary to have a structural survey completed as woodworms are generally a sign of damp. Even if the woodworms have not caused serious damage themselves, the damp or rotten wood that they live in may cause a structural problem in the building.

Woodworm treatment is fairly straightforward once the damaged area has been properly located. The wood can be coated with a liquid or lacquer that may stop any larvae inside from exiting and suffocate them, or for more extensive infestations fumigation is often used to ensure that the pests are successfully controlled.