Woodworms can cause immense damage to your furniture. What’s worse is that woodworms often grow up to be different types of wood-boring beetles. Now, obviously, it’s important, for the sake of your wooden items, that you prevent this. Therefore, here are 5 signs and symptoms of woodworm, woodworm larvae, and the damage they can cause to your furniture.
Table of Contents
What is Woodworm?
Woodworm is the common term used to refer to the larvae of all wood-boring beetles. There are several species found in the UK, but most of the damage is caused by the offspring of the Common Furniture beetle.
Woodworms are a creamy white color and have curved bodies. They can cause significant damage to furniture, flooring, and other wooden objects.
Adult wood boring beetles look different depending on their species, but they all have one thing in common – they bore into wood in order to lay eggs.
It’s highly unlikely you’ll ever see woodworm larvae as they stay hidden, munching away on timber until they are fully grown. However, there are telltale signs that you may have an infestation, and it’s important to address it as soon as possible to prevent any further damage.
In particular, woodworm damage usually appears as raised bumps or indentations on the furniture. The larvae of the woodworm feed on the wood, making holes and tunnels in it.
Over time, this can cause serious damage to the furniture. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to take action and address the problem before it gets worse.
Can you spot the signs and symptoms of woodworm infestations in your house easily?
Woodworm is a common problem that can often go undetected for some time. The signs and symptoms of an infestation are not always easy to spot, but it is important to be aware of them in order to deal with the problem as soon as possible.
Woodworm larvae live within the wood and eat its contents. They will eventually pupate and turn into adult woodworms. By this point, the grubs have caused significant damage to the furniture.
5 signs and symptoms of woodworm in your house!
Here are the top 5 signs and symptoms of woodworm in your house!
Woodworms leave holes in your wooden items.
If you’ve noticed exit holes in wooden items, it’s likely that an infestation of woodworms has already taken place and is causing damage.
Woodworm larvae cause the most damage and, if left untreated, can lead to the complete destruction of furniture, flooring, and other wooden items.
There are three main types of woodworm- the Common Furniture Beetle, the Deathwatch Beetle, and the Longhorn Beetle. Each one of these species leaves different-sized exit holes in your wooden furniture.
If you see holes in your wooden furniture or any other wooden items in your home, it’s important to take note of it and investigate. If you think you may have an infestation, it’s best to call a professional to take a look.
Even if the infestation has been taken care of by a professional, you should still treat your wooden items with a wood preservation product to prevent any further damage.
Spotting live woodworms in your house.
One way to tell if you have woodworms is by looking for live worms in your house during the summer months.
Woodworm larvae typically emerge from their exit holes and can be found in the timber and wood around your house. If you see small, cylindrical droppings near or on wooden surfaces, there is a good chance that woodworm is present.
Another way to determine if you have a woodworm problem is by looking for adult beetle signs around your house. Check window ledges, eaves, and timber for tiny holes that the beetles leave behind.
You may also see damage to wooden furniture or flooring as a result of the larvae eating through the wood.
Spotting dead woodworms in your house.
Woodworms burrow into the wood and create tunnels, which can eventually lead to the wood breaking down. Woodworm larvae are very small and can only be seen with a good eye.
When you spot a dead woodworm, it is important to take note because it is different than spotting a live woodworm.
Dead woodworms will be black and dried up, while live woodworms will be white and slimy. It is crucial to identify the differences in order to determine if you have an infestation on your hands.
If you see dead woodworms around your house, it’s likely that you have an infestation. Woodworm larvae can cause a lot of damage to furniture, so it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible.
Look for exit tunnels and check window ledges; if you see any evidence of woodworm, take action right away!
Woodworms leave sawdust or frass after burrowing into the wood.
If you see sawdust or frass around your furniture, it is likely that woodworms are present. Woodworms are the larvae of certain types of beetles, and they feed on the wood, leaving behind sawdust as they burrow.
This sawdust can cause damage to the furniture over time. This sign is usually easy to spot, as the exit holes left by the woodworms are large.
Spotting woodworm larvae in your house.
Woodworm larvae are a creamy white color and curved. They can be up to 1/2 inch long and are usually found in the crevices of furniture, floors, and walls. If you see woodworm larvae in your house, it is important to take action before the problem gets worse.
It is not common for homeowners to come across woodworm larva, but if you do see them, it is a telltale sign of an active woodworm infestation. Woodworm larvae can cause significant damage to furniture, so it is important to address the issue as soon as possible.
Do woodworms damage your wooden furniture and the wooden foundation of your home?
Woodworm damage is a common problem with wooden furniture and the wooden foundation of your home. The damage is done by the larvae of woodworms, which eat away at the wood, leaving behind crumbly edges and exit tunnels.
If you notice any of these signs, it is important to take action to get rid of the woodworms before they do more damage.
– The wood should feel weak and, in parts, could even crumble away in your hands.
– You may see small holes in the wood or evidence that something has been eating away at it.
– There might be larvae present, which look like small, white grubs.
– The wood may sound hollow when tapped.
– There could be a strong, musty smell in the vicinity of the affected wood.
In short, if you notice any of the signs of a woodworm infestation, such as an increase in the number of spiders or beetles around your property, unusual damage to wooden furniture or plants, or changes in the behavior of the worms themselves, it’s best to get in touch with an expert.
These experts will be able to diagnose whether the problem is actually woodworm larvae or rot and recommend the appropriate treatment technique.
What attracts woodworms to your property in the first place?
Here are the main reasons you keep finding woodworms on your property.
The moisture in your wood is attractive to woodworms.
Woodworms are attracted to moisture and will invade damp wood. If the moisture content in your wood is above 20%, then there is cause for concern. You can buy a Wood Moisture Meter to test the moisture levels of your wood.
To reduce the humidity of your wood, you can use extractor fans, dry clothes outside, and ensure your property is adequately ventilated.
Untreated wood is unprotected against woodworms.
Untreated wood is vulnerable to woodworm larvae. If the larvae are left untreated, they can cause significant damage to the wood. Woodworm larvae are tiny creatures that feed on the wood, and if they are not removed, they can eat through the entire piece of wood.
How can you tell if you have an active woodworm infestation in your house?
An active woodworm infestation can be difficult to detect. One popular method for testing for an active infestation is filling the exit holes with beeswax or tissue paper.
If the hole is filled and there is a reaction, such as the wax being eaten away or the tissue tearing, then it is likely that you have an active infestation.
Other signs of a woodworm infestation include piles of dust near affected areas, sawdust on the floor or furniture, and larvae in the crevices of furniture.
If you’re unsure about whether you have an active woodworm infestation, it’s best to talk to a specialist. They will be able to give you a proper diagnosis and advise on the best course of action.
There are many different treatment options available, but it’s always important to weigh up the pros and cons before making a decision.
The larvae themselves are not usually the cause of damage, but their tunnels can weaken the timber, making it vulnerable to other pests or becoming structurally unsound. If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to get in touch with a pest control specialist as soon as possible.
What are the different species of woodworm beetles?
There are many different types of woodworm beetles, but more often than not, it’ll be the Common Furniture Beetle causing problems.
Other species of woodworm beetles are house longhorn beetles, wood-boring weevils, deathwatch beetles, ambrosia beetles, powderpost beetle, and fan-bearing wood-borer beetles, and bark borer beetles.
How to get rid of an active woodworm infestation?
Once you already have an active woodworm infestation, you must do your best to get rid of it! Here are some of your options when it comes to getting rid of woodworm infestations.
Surface treatments for woodworm pest control
If you are seeing any signs of woodworm in your furniture, it is important to take action right away. You can treat common furniture beetles with a brush, dip or spray application of a permethrin-based woodworm treatment on all timbers affected by woodworm.
You should also treat any close-by timbers to protect against future outbreaks. Don’t forget to re-paint and re-varnish treated surfaces when they are dry.
Injection treatments for death watch and house longhorn beetles in your furniture
When it comes to woodworm, there are a few things you should know. First, it is essential to treat the problem by both injection and surface treatment.
Second, woodworm treatment spray can be injected into the exit holes left by adult beetles in order to kill them. Third, you can also drill into the danger zone and fill the wood with a paste or gel woodworm treatment.
In any case, if you suspect you have a woodworm infestation, it is always best to seek professional help. The team of experts will be able to treat the problem and save your furniture from further damage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, woodworm can be a serious problem if left untreated. It is important to watch for the five signs and symptoms mentioned in this article so that you can take action and get rid of the woodworm before it causes too much damage.
