In the UK, there are many insects that infest a large percent of homes each year. All these species of beetle invade and consume wood, leaving destructive effects. The type of woodworm can depend on your location and type of wood used. For example, the common furniture beetle normally only attacks seasoned sapwood timber, not live or fresh wood. Here are a few warning signs we think indicate towards a woodworm problem.
– Boards and joists with weak edges
– Minute holes in woodwork
– Beetles present around your home
– Dust around holes in woodwork
Woodworms larvae eat its way up and down the timbers and cause structural damage to the timber. It is at this stage that the frass, or dust, that is often the first sign of a woodworm infestation is produced.
Towards the end of the woodworm lifecycle, larvae form a pupal chamber where it enlarges the tunnelling towards the surface of the timber. This pupates from the larval stage into an adult woodworm beetle. The adult beetle then eats its way through the last thin veneer of timber producing the round exit holes that you normally see.
An emerging adult beetle will create distinct round exit holes. This is a clear sign of woodworm infestation. The females live for between 10 and 14 days but the males only live between 3 and 4 days.
Once the adult male beetles have emerged their sole purpose is to mate with as many female partners so that the lifecycle continues. Using our woodworm treatments service is the best way of protecting your property in the future.