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Woodworm Treatment London

Woodworm may be small, but they can cause serious damage to your timber. These beetles bore through wood, weakening it from within. As trusted woodworm specialists, we’ve been treating infestations and rising damp throughout London for over 20 years, protecting homes with expert care.

What Is Woodworm?

Woodworm refers to the larvae of wood boring beetles that feed on timber, creating tiny tunnels as they burrow through the wood. These pests are often drawn to homes with high humidity or damp conditions, which create the perfect environment for them to thrive. Over time, woodworm can cause serious structural damage, weakening beams, floorboards, and furniture. Left untreated, infestations can spread quickly, so early detection and professional treatment are essential to protect your property.

It’s important to note that different species of wood-boring beetles are active at different times of the year, meaning infestations can remain hidden for long periods. Tell-tale signs include small exit holes in timber, fine bore dust (frass), crumbling wood edges, or live adult beetles. If you spot any of these signs, contact woodworm specialists immediately. A thorough inspection can determine the severity of the issue, and effective treatment will not only eliminate the current infestation but also prevent future outbreaks.

Holes created by woordworm in an old log

What Are The Different Types Of Woodworm?

There are various types of woodworm – some more destructive than others:

Common Furniture Beetle - Anobium punctatum
  • The most common type of woodworm.

  • Attacks softwoods and European hardwoods.

  • Leaves small, round exit holes (1–2mm).

  • Prefers timber with higher moisture levels.

  • Found in furniture, floorboards, and roof timbers.

Deathwatch Beetle - Xestobium rufovillosum
  • A death watch beetle targets hardwoods like oak and elm.
  • Common in older buildings with decaying wood.
  • Leaves larger exit holes (around 3mm).
  • Creates an audible “ticking” sound (hence the name).
  • Requires damp and decayed timber to thrive.
House Longhorn Beetle - Hylotrupes bajulus
  • Far more destructive than the common furniture beetle.
  • Mainly affects softwood, particularly in roofs and lofts.
  • Found mostly in southern England.
  • Large exit holes (up to 10mm).
  • Larvae can live inside timber for years, causing major structural damage.
Powderpost Beetle - Lyctus brunneus
  • Affects newer hardwoods, like oak, ash, or mahogany.

  • Requires wood with a high starch content.

  • Exit holes are very small (about 1.5mm).

  • Typically found in newer furniture or timber stored in humid conditions.

Each species has different treatment requirements, so accurate identification by a professional is key. Would you like a breakdown on how to spot and treat each of these

How Do You Know If You Have Woodworm?

If you’re looking for signs of woodworm in your home, here are are few indicators that you may have a woodworm infestation:

1

Bore Dust

As the beetles emerge from the wood it creates a mixture of wood dust and beetle droppings called Frass which you can spot below infested timber
2

Wood Tunnels

The burrowing beetles leave a network of tunnels or ‘galleries as they’re also known which are actually difficult to spot.
3

Recent Exit Holes

A freshly bored woodworm hole will be roughly 2mm in size and round or oval in shape with a cleaner and crisper appearance than older holes.
4

Crumbling Wood

Wooden corners on areas such as roof joists or floorboards have corners or edges which are rounded or breaking away.
5

Damaged Or Weak Floorboards

You’ll start to notice a difference to the strength of floorboards as they become weaker underfoot, or in more extreme cases, parts of furniture may break through the wood.
6

Woodworm Larvae

There are many varieties of woodworm but their larvae are most often creamy-white in colour.
7

Woodworm Eggs

These are ricky to spot with the naked eye and vary in size depending on which type of beetle it is.
8

Adult Woodworm

Beetles Between May and October, also known as Woodworm Season, you may notice the adult beetles emerging from the wood or timber in your home.

Need a Survey or Consultation? Woodworm’s expertise in London

If you’d like to book a site survey, consultation, or no-obligation quotation for our woodworm services in London, please click here or call 0208 959 6424.