Woodworm Treatment — Is the Infestation Active?
Most exit holes are historic. The question is whether anything is still flying.
Covering Dorset · Hampshire · Wiltshire
Book a survey for this issue
1/3Takes under a minute. A qualified surveyor attends — never a salesperson.
No obligation, no sales visit. Your details are used only to arrange the survey.
Common furniture beetle leaves 1–2mm round exit holes in joists, floorboards and roof timbers. The holes stay there for a century, which is why so many homeowners are quoted for a whole-house spray on the evidence of an infestation that died out decades ago.
We look for the signs of activity — clean-edged holes, fresh cream-coloured frass, beetles or larvae, and moisture content high enough to sustain a life cycle. If it is not active, we tell you and you keep your money.
From first reading to registered guarantee
The same five stages on every job, whether it is one wall or a whole property.
- 01
Activity assessment
Frass, hole condition, live specimens and timber moisture content examined before any treatment is proposed.
- 02
Species identification
Furniture beetle, deathwatch and house longhorn need very different responses.
- 03
Structural check
Where attack has been long-running, load-bearing capacity of affected members is assessed.
- 04
Targeted treatment
Water-based permethrin applied to affected areas only, with occupant and pet safety instructions.
- 05
Moisture correction
Sub-floor and roof ventilation improved to bring timber below the moisture content beetles need.
Everything this specification can cover
Your quotation lists only what your property needs. Anything not required is simply not on it.
- Active-versus-historic infestation assessment
- Species identification
- Water-based insecticidal treatment
- Structural timber strength assessment
- Joist and floorboard replacement
- Ventilation improvement to reduce timber moisture
Woodworm Treatment — answered
Fresh frass, sharp-edged pale holes, and adult beetles in early summer. Old holes are dark-edged and dust-free. We confirm at survey rather than assuming.
Treated areas need to be vacated while the product dries — typically a few hours — and pets kept clear. Sub-floor and loft treatments rarely disrupt normal occupation.
Long-running deathwatch or house longhorn attack certainly can, particularly in joist ends and roof plates. Furniture beetle in sound timber is generally cosmetic.
Get a written diagnosis before anyone quotes for woodworm treatment
A qualified surveyor attends, tests properly and writes it down. No obligation, no sales visit, no charge.
Dorset · Hampshire · Wiltshire