Woodworm Surveys & Treatments in Derbyshire & West Nottinghamshire

Wood boring insect infestation is commonly described as woodworm. However, this is actually just a term used to describe a number of different species of wood boring insects and not just one type insect.

The most common species of woodworm found in properties across the UK is the Common Furniture Beetle (Annobium Punctatum).

The Common Furniture Beetle does not just attack furniture as their name suggests, but can also attack building timbers such as joists, floorboards etc. In most cases treatment of Common Furniture Beetle is fairly straightforward. Any structurally-weakened timber should be removed and replaced with pre-treated timber

Other common woodworm species which may also be found in buildings are:

Wood Boring Weevils (Pentarthrum huttoni)  - They only attack rotten timber. By simply stopping the source of moisture and replacing the rotten wood, the infestation is eradicated.

Deathwatch Beetle (Xestobium rufuvillosum - usually confines itself to attacking Oak and Elm. Deathwatch Beetle infestations can require more extensive treatments than for Common Furniture Beetle infestations.

Powderpost Beetle (Lyctus brunneus) -Only attacks tropical hardwoods. Treatments are not always necessary as it is unlikely to thrive in the climate and will usually die out naturally. It is usually found in imported wooden furniture.

There are a few common signs that can help in identifying a possible woodworm/wood boring insect problem. The signs often become apparent at different stages of the life-cycle of the woodworm/wood boring beetles. The diagram below shows the life-cycle stages

The Picture (Left) Shows - Common Furniture Beetle (Top) & a Biscuit Beetle (Bottom).

Can you tell the difference between the two?

Very similar in appearance and closely related, these insects can easily be confused and misidentified.

The Common Furniture Beetle can cause damage to important timbers and require a specialist treatment at a cost, whilst a Biscuit Beetle infestation will just require the infested food/materials to be removed.

This is why the correct identification is so important. A CSRT Surveyor is trained to recognise the difference.

Below is a video of a Wood Boring Weevil under a microscope in our office. The beetle was found in a piece of damp skirting board on a survey in Derby.

Correct identification of the insect is essential before any consideration can be given to whether treatment is needed.

Treatment for an active infestation of Common Furniture Beetles will normally involve a spray application of an insecticide or the application of a gel/paste. Our treatments are safe and effective.

All our quotation survey reports contain detailed specifications with important health and safety advice.

On occasion structurally-weakened timber may need to be removed and replaced with pre-treated timber.

Picture Right - An insecticidal spray (Woodworm) treatment being carried out to a ground floor suspended timber floor by a fully trained proffesional biocide user.

CK Walker Damp & Timbers team members are trained to apply timber treatments correctly and in a safe manner.

Two of our employees have succesfully passed an examination in the safe use of biocides and are now on the PCA Professional Users of Biocides Register for the Protection of Timber in Buildings.

This register provides a reference point for both suppliers and consumers who want to verify the professionalism of applicators,