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Is It Termites Or Woodworm In Your House?

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Termites are a common problem in homes, as they are able to eat through wood very quickly. If you think that termites are causing damage to your home, the best way to determine if it is termites or woodworm is to take out a piece of wood and see if the termites are tunneling into it. If you do not see any tunnels, it is likely that it is a woodworm. This article helps you decide about the infestation you are facing.

What exactly is a woodworm?

is it termites or woodworm in your house?

Woodworms are a type of beetle larva that eat away at the wood. There are different types of woodworms, but the most famous is the Deathwatch beetle. They can cause a lot of damage to wooden furniture, houses, and other objects made from wood.

The larvae of various kinds of beetles bore into the wood, causing damage to the object’s surface, as well as loss of timber value. Infestation typically occurs in lumber or other wooden objects but can also occur in furniture, flooring, and other objects made from wood.

What causes woodworms to appear?

Woodworms are attracted to moist and decaying environments. If you have a moisture problem in your home, it is likely that woodworms will appear. You can prevent woodworm infestations by fixing any leaks and ensuring that your home is properly ventilated.

In addition, woodworm is not only caused by moisture and lack of air circulation. It can also be brought in from untreated wooden material that you have at your property.

If the woodworms are not treated early on, they can cause significant damage to furniture and the structure of your house.

What are the signs of woodworm in your furniture?

Woodworms leave holes in the wood

One of the most common signs of a woodworm infestation is the presence of small round exit holes in furniture, flooring, and other wooden items in your home.

Woodworms are the larvae stage of a type of beetle that eats away at the wood, so you may also see evidence of damage like gouges or scrapes on the surface of the wood.

If you are seeing fine dust, crumbling wood, tunnels in the timber, or live/dead beetles, then there is a real chance you have an infestation of woodworm.

Is it termites or woodworm in your house?

Termites are a species of insect that is classified by their six legs, well-defined heads, and antennae. They can typically be identified by their wings, which are twice as long as their bodies. Termites are often mistaken for woodworms, which are different types of pests.

Though woodworms and termites may look similar, there are some key differences. Woodworms are the larval stage of certain beetle species that eat wood, but they cannot fly and are much smaller than termites.

You can read a more detailed version of the differences between termites and woodworm below!

What are the differences between termites and woodworm?

Termites and woodworm are both types of insects that can infest your home. However, they are two different types of creatures with different habits and characteristics.

Termites are a type of insect that lives in colonies and builds their homes in the wood of trees or other plants. Woodworm is another name for beetle larvae.

Infestation by termites or woodworms manifests differently.

Wood damage

Termite and woodworm infestations often present differently. Woodworm infestation is often identified by sawdust piles near affected structures or holes in the wood’s surface.

Termites, however, will eat away at the wood until it is weakened and can cause significant damage to a structure over time. Additionally, you will also see other signs of termites, such as termites with wings, the manifestation of mud tubes, and other such things.

Termites and woodworm differ in size.

Termites and woodworms are two different types of insects that can cause damage to wooden structures. They differ in a few key aspects, including size.

Termites are larger than woodworms, typically measuring 10 to 12 mm in length with wings. Woodworms are much smaller, measuring only 2 to 7 mm long without wings.

Termites and woodworm live in different habitats.

Termites and woodworms are two types of insects that live in different habitats. Termites prefer to live in subterranean anthills, while woodworms prefer softwood and hardwood trees.

They both have different preferences for the food they eat and the environment they live in. Understanding the main difference between these two pests is important for homeowners who want to protect their homes from damage.

Conclusion

Therefore, when trying to figure out whether you see termites or woodworm, remember that the best and easiest way to understand the difference is on the basis of size. Being the larvae of beetles, woodworms are much smaller than termites!

About the author

A biotechnologist by profession and a passionate pest researcher. I have been one of those people who used to run away from cockroaches and rats due to their pesky features, but then we all get that turn in life when we have to face something.