Abbott Damp Proofing : Woodworm

Wood boring beetles can affect any untreated timbers within a property. In fact the newer the timber the more appealing it can be for the beetles due to the high starch and sugar content of sapwood. With the current high levels of demand for timber, trees are not allowed the same growing time as was once the norm. The result is a lower heartwood content and higher sapwood content leaving the timber in our properties more susceptible to attack by woodworm.

There are numerous types of wood boring beetles, the most common being the Common Furniture Beetle, Death Watch Beetle, House Longhorn Beetle and Wood Boring Weevil. The different types of wood boring beetles prefer different types of timber which can aid in the identification of an attack or infestation.

Anobium Punctatum Woodworm
Xestoblium Ruffovillosum Woodworm
Hylotrupes Bajulus Woodworm
Wood Boring Weevil Woodworm

Life cycle of woodworm
There are four stages in the life cycle of a woodworm. The female beetle lays eggs on the surface of the timber. The eggs hatch and the larva tunnels in to the timber where it remains for a number of years creating tunnels by eating the timber away. This can lead to the structural collapse of the timber. Towards the end of the life cycle the larva creates a chamber just below the surface of the timber where pupation takes place (the transition from larva to chrysalis to adult beetle). The adult beetle bites through the surface of the timber leaving behind a noticeable exit or flight hole. Mating then takes place and the cycle is repeated. The adult beetle lives for only a few weeks and causes very little damage . It has no digestive system and it’s teeth are used only for exiting the timber.

Remedial Treatments

Treatment chemicals for woodworm - the latest and safest available

We offer a range of remedial treatments for the eradication of woodworm. Treatments vary according to timber and beetle type. All treatment chemicals and products we use are licensed by the Health And Safety Executive where appropriate and carry H.S.E. numbers. All remedial treatment chemicals used are the latest and safest available. The chemicals are low odour and many have as little as 1 hour re-entry times.
The areas of a property normally treated to eradicate woodworm are the timber floors, the staircase and roof timbers. Other joinery items such as doors, frames, skirting boards and architraves can be treated but are not normally included in a specialist treatment.

Timber Floors	A number of floorboards are lifted to facilitate the treatment. The under-surface and top-surface of floorboards are sprayed with insecticide as are the floor joists, wall plates etc

Staircases	Holes are usually drilled in to the staircase risers to enable the insertion of a rotating insecticide spray attachment. This ensures the back spraying of the staircase. The top-surface of the staircase is then sprayed with insecticide.

Roof Timbers	Timbers are brushed down before treatment. All roof and integral ceiling timbers are then sprayed with insecticide.

Larger dimension timbers or hardwoods may be treated with heavy duty paste or gel for deeper penetration of the insecticide.

How does the treatment work?

In most cases the treatment works by breaking the life cycle of the woodworm.
Therefore the woodworm cannot re-infest. With more heavy duty treatments the insecticides penetrate deeper in to the timber and achieve eradication more quickly.