Our Woodworm Treatment Approach (Inspection to Completion)

Because “woodworm” can mean different insects—and because exit holes alone don’t confirm current activity—our process focuses on accuracy first:

• Inspection & identificationof the insect risk, timber type and affected areas
• Assessment of moisture and contributing damp conditions(often the real driver)
• Confirming whether activity is active or historicbefore recommending treatment
• Treatment plansuited to the situation (targeted application where required)
• Repairs / making goodif timbers are weakened, including remedial carpentry/building works where necessary
• Advice on prevention, including ventilation and moisture control measures

Timber Preservation Standards and Good Practice

Timber preservation work should follow recognised good practice for durability and protection against biodeterioration. The UK’s guidance includes standards for preservative treatment such as BS 8417 (Preservation of wood – Code of practice), which sets recommendations for selecting and applying preservative treatments appropriate to end use and exposure conditions.

General Information (Timber & Why Woodworm Happens)

Timber is one of the oldest construction materials known. It has and will continue to be within the building industry for the foreseeable future. Timber is a remarkable material, which can be fashioned by cutting, moulding, stripping, etc. Used in many ways both decorative and functional. Timber does however have one major drawbacks, it is of course susceptible to deterioration by both attack from wood boring insects and fungal decay. This is particularly relevant where damp conditions exist.

Timber is classified into two categories: hardwood and softwood.

Hardwood is from broad leafed deciduous trees such as teak, mahogany, elm and oak. Whilst softwood is produced from coniferous trees such as spruce, fir and pine. It is a misconception that hardwood is always more durable than softwood; the heartwood of some hardwood timbers such as teak and oak is extremely durable. However, the heartwood of others is rated as perishable e.g., beech. Many older properties contain hardwood structural timbers and buildings constructed since circa 1800 will have more softwood structural elements. The main enemies of timber in these buildings are wood boring insects, woodworm and decay because of wood rotting fungi, dry rot and wet rot.

General Information (Timber & Why Woodworm Happens)

Timber is one of the oldest construction materials known. It has and will continue to be within the building industry for the foreseeable future. Timber is a remarkable material, which can be fashioned by cutting, moulding, stripping, etc. Used in many ways both decorative and functional. Timber does however have one major drawbacks, it is of course susceptible to deterioration by both attack from wood boring insects and fungal decay. This is particularly relevant where damp conditions exist.

Timber is classified into two categories: hardwood and softwood.

Hardwood is from broad leafed deciduous trees such as teak, mahogany, elm and oak. Whilst softwood is produced from coniferous trees such as spruce, fir and pine. It is a misconception that hardwood is always more durable than softwood; the heartwood of some hardwood timbers such as teak and oak is extremely durable. However, the heartwood of others is rated as perishable e.g., beech. Many older properties contain hardwood structural timbers and buildings constructed since circa 1800 will have more softwood structural elements. The main enemies of timber in these buildings are wood boring insects, woodworm and decay because of wood rotting fungi, dry rot and wet rot.

Wood Boring Insects (“Woodworm”) – What It Means

The term ‘woodworm’ is used to identify a variety of species of beetles,  the larvae of which bore into timber to feed causing structural weakening of the timbers where an infestation has been allowed to survive. The characteristic flight holes are formed by the adult insect as it bores through and emerges from the timber to mate and reproduce. The lifecycle of the various species follows the same pattern e.g., egg, larvae, pupae, adult insect. However, the span of the cycle from egg to adult beetle varies from one species to another.

Before any treatment is considered, the key step is establishing whether activity is current or historic and then checking moisture conditions—because damp timber is far more vulnerable to ongoing attack and decay.

Common Wood Boring Insects in the UK (We Inspect For These)

Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium punctatum)

This is by far the most common and widespread of wood boring insects in the country, frequently found in older furniture and all constructional timbers, particularly around loft access, timbers in contract with solid walls, understairs areas, cupboards and other areas that may have been affected by damp. Sapwood is preferred as with most species, but heartwood is also vulnerable to infestation by this beetle.

Death Watch Beetle (Xestobium Rufovillosium)

Death watch beetles infest hardwood (mostly oak & elm) and softwood in contact with infested hardwood if some degree of fungal attack is present. It is often found in historic buildings where large quantities of oak or elm have been used structurally. The presence of death watch beetles can often be associated with damp conditions and fungal decay, although the infestation can continue, albeit slowly, in dryer timber.

Those timbers of particular concern are embedded wall plates, joist ends, lintels and any other timbers built into the fabric of the building. Damage is often extreme in concealed bearing ends of timbers inserted into damp walls. In conjunction with fungal attack, this infestation may hollow out entire centres of large sections.

Wood Boring Weevil (Euophryum confine)

Wood boring weevils are unusual amongst wood boring insects in that both the larvae and the adult insect bore into timber, also the ability exists for several lifecycles to be completed in a single year in favourable conditions. This beetle attacks decayed softwoods and hardwoods in damp conditions. Poorly vented ground floors, cellars, and wood in contact with damp floors or walls are particularly vulnerable. The beetle will also attack plywood in these conditions.

House Longhorn Beetle (Hylotrupes bajulus)

Widespread throughout Europe, in the UK this beetle is largely associated with a defined area of the south-east of England and is recognised as one of the most destructive species, commonly affecting roof timbers.

Upon identification, this infestation is a beetle attack, which should be reported to the relevant bodies that maintain records of infestations, and it is strongly recommended that a Structural Engineer / Surveyor is employed to assess structural integrity where significant damage is suspected.

Areas We Cover

We provide woodworm and timber treatment services across North Devon, including Barnstaple, Bideford, Ilfracombe, South Molton, Torrington, Tiverton, Bude and Exmoor, and surrounding areas.