Woodworm in Staffordshire

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

Signs of a woodworm infestation include cracking noises coming from wood in your home or furniture, as well as the visual indicators which are the exit holes located in wood and wood dust usually discovered beneath infested wood. Woodworm infestations should be managed by expert pest control specialists. It could also be necessary to have a structural survey completed as woodworms are often a sign of damp. Even if the woodworms have not caused serious damage themselves, the damp or rotten wood that they live in might cause a structural problem in the building.

Woodworm treatment is fairly straightforward once the damaged area has been properly located. The wood can be covered with a liquid or lacquer that will block 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.