Thornton Heath Woodworm Control

Woodworms are not very widespread 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 inside damp or rotten wood. When these eggs hatch, small larvae start to consume the wood around them, which is what causes 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 could return to lay eggs. In severe cases, 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 the home or furniture, as well as the visual indications which are the exit holes located in wood and wood dust commonly discovered underneath infested wood. Woodworm infestations should be handled by skilled pest control specialists. It may also be necessary to have a structural survey carried out as woodworms are generally an indicator of damp. Even if the woodworms have not caused serious damage themselves, the damp or rotten wood that they live in could cause a structural problem in the building.

Woodworm treatment is relatively straightforward once the damaged area has been correctly 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 considerable infestations fumigation is often used to ensure that the pests are successfully controlled.