Woodworm infestation in homes: signs, solutions & surveyor advice

When you're buying a home, there are certain problems that might send shivers down your spine when you think about the damage they can cause, and, of course, the amount of cash it'll take to rectify the issues.

It might be subsidence, or perhaps evidence of flooding. Or perhaps you can see the roof bowing under the weight of the tiles.

But what about woodworms?

The picture above shows what a woodworm's larva can do to the woodwork within a home's structure, but sometimes the indication that there might be woodworm is actually benign since it is historic, or because the infestation has already been resolved before it became serious.

The word ‘woodworm' is an umbrella term that refers to the larval stage of a variety of wood-boring beetles. Once the eggs are laid on a good source of wood, the larvae burrow through the wood, gaining their energy from chewing through the wood for the cellulose.

The most common species of wood-boring beetles are the Common Furniture Beetle and the Death-Watch Beetle (so named because of the superstition that the noise the adult beetles make foretells imminent death for someone who is ill).

It is only the larva that consumes the wood; once it pupates into an adult beetle, it no longer eats anything, simply existing to mate and therefore propagate the existence of the species.

There are five main symptoms:

1. Bore holes - these are the most familiar pieces of evidence. Tiny holes dotted across the surface of the word are strong indications that larvae have previously eaten into the wood. These holes are where the pupated larvae have surfaced for adult flight (sometimes they are known as flight holes for this very reason). However, the existence of these holes is not necessarily firm evidence that an infestation is current.
2. Tunnelling - as the picture shows, the larvae move through the wood, eating what is in front of them and excreting what they don't require behind them. Such wood-boring larvae can work their way through a huge amount of a wooden structure, which is why it's imperative to resolve the issue as soon as it is identified. But, unless the wood is split, you are very unlikely to see any evidence of these bore tunnels since they are internal to the wooden structure.
3. Dust accumulation - the waste product of the insect larvae is a fine wood dust, which is known as frass. This accumulates in the tunnels as a powder and can sometimes be seen at the exit points (the bore holes). Such evidence is likely to indicate a current infestation (or, at least, a very recent one).
4. Wood damage - because of the speed and amount of wood that a single larva will ingest, an infestation will quickly work its way through any wood. Because the process breaks down the cellulose (the substance that gives wood its strength), any impacted wooden structure will quickly become weakened. The most obvious evidence is where the wood is friable and crumbles under the touch or when rubbed between the fingers.
5. Insects (dead or alive) - another prime signal of an infestation is the existence of the insect itself (whether it's still alive or it's dead). These beetles will be looking for a suitable site to lay their eggs if they are still alive, or they may have already started the process if they are dead.

Generally speaking, the perfect season for woodworm comes in the warmer months, which means they are particularly prevalent between early spring in April, to early autumn in October. They are also attracted to areas where the wood is subjected to damp - it is for this reason that any investigation should not only look at the specific evidence of infestation but also the areas where damp and wet wood might create a suitable haven for the insects in the future.

There are off-the-shelf treatments available from DIY stores and online, but this is best used for those who want to treat woodworm on non-structural items such as furniture, garden tools, etc.

For a suspected infestation in the structural areas of a home (for example, roof trusses, joists and floorboards, stud walls, and even doors and windows), it is much better to get an expert in to confirm whether there is an infestation first and foremost, from which they can advise any remedial works that might be required.

In the event of expensive solutions being required, you should also look at what provisions there are in your home insurance since most insurers don't commonly include woodworm as a matter of course. If in doubt, it's worth contacting them to confirm the position.

If you are planning to buy a property, it's always a good idea to line up an experienced chartered surveyor to carry out a structural survey. This is worth the time and money to give you the peace of mind that comes with the assessment - even if it provides you with the evidence that it will be too costly to go ahead with the purchase. And it is especially critical where there is a serious woodworm infestation in an important area of the structure.

Even if you are not planning on moving home just yet and you are worried about woodworm and its effects on the home you are currently living in, you would really get that peace of mind by ordering a survey to check any problems out.

The report is presented in an easy-to-read traffic light system:

• Green - no problems identified, or the inspected areas are in sufficiently good order
• Amber - problem identified, and although it doesn't require immediate resolution, remedial work will be required soon.
• Red - work to rectify the problem needs to be carried out immediately

The chartered surveyor will also provide an assessment of the type of work to be done and the likely cost so that you are in a better position to make decisions on the next steps.

Are you thinking of buying a new home? Or perhaps you're worried about possible woodworm in your current property?

At Surveyor Local, we only work with chartered surveyors who are members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, ensuring the survey you get is always professionally delivered.

They will work hard to identify all kinds of problems, including the impact of plants like Japanese knotweed, and their possible causes, as well as providing guidance of possible remedial action.

Where a survey does reveal any issues with a property, the buyer is then armed with knowledge that can allow them either to renegotiate the price, have the seller carry out the repairs or pull out of the purchase altogether.

That's where it is really worth contacting Surveyor Local!

Call  to get your no-obligation survey quote started, or to discuss your concerns with the acquisition of your planned property.

Or you can get a quick quote, using Surveyor Local's easy-to-use quote generator. Simply input your name, postcode, email address, phone number and an approximate value of the property (usually the agreed price), and we'll give you an instant quote for the work (with an email copy). 

We'll do the rest once you confirm your acceptance of the quote.