Timber
Woodworm investigations and treatment
Establishing whether insect activity is current before recommending any treatment.
What the issue is
Woodworm is a general term for wood-boring beetle activity. Treatment is only appropriate where the attack is active and the species and moisture conditions justify it.
Common symptoms
- Small round exit holes
- Fine powdery frass
- Beetles seen in summer months
- Weakened or crumbling timber edges
Likely contributing factors
- Elevated timber moisture content
- Poorly ventilated voids and lofts
- Damp or sapwood-rich timbers
Conditions that may be mistaken for it
- Historic inactive attack
- Mechanical damage or old nail holes
- Surface abrasion
How the issue should be investigated
- Examine holes, frass and timber condition
- Assess whether activity appears current
- Record timber moisture content
- Identify the species where possible
Potential treatment or repair options
- Reducing timber moisture content
- Targeted insecticidal treatment where activity is confirmed
- Replacement of structurally weakened timber
- Improved ventilation
When treatment may not be appropriate
- Where the attack is clearly historic
- Where reducing moisture will resolve the risk
Factors affecting the cost
- Area of timber to be treated
- Access, including lifting floors
- Any structural repairs
- Occupancy arrangements during treatment
What to expect during an inspection
The surveyor will inspect accessible timbers, look for signs of current activity and record moisture readings.
Final recommendations always depend on the property, the inspection findings and the confirmed cause. Elevated readings alone do not confirm rising damp, not every mould problem requires extensive treatment, and damp-affected plaster does not always need replacing.
Frequently asked questions
Next step
Not sure which inspection you need? Start with a few questions.
Tell us what you are seeing and we will set out what is likely, what is uncertain and which inspection would answer the question. Speak to us on 0333 335 6152 if you would rather talk it through.