Woodworm treatment in The Hague: what exactly are you seeing?
Woodworm is the common name for the larvae of beetles that live in wood. What you see is usually the work of the adult beetle that has chewed its way out. The best known is the common furniture beetle, but softwood roof timbers can also harbour the house longhorn beetle, which does considerably more damage.
- Round exit holes of one to two millimetres: usually common woodworm.
- Larger, oval holes with ragged edges: a sign of longhorn beetle.
- Frass: fine, pale dust beneath or beside the wood.
- Timber that feels soft or crumbly when you press a screwdriver into it.
Why woodworm thrives in old buildings
The larvae live unseen inside the wood for years, boring tunnels before they pupate and emerge as beetles, mainly in late spring and summer. The females then lay new eggs in cracks and old exit holes, and the cycle begins again.
Common woodworm likes timber with some moisture in it. A poorly ventilated crawl space, a leaking roof or a cold, damp loft makes joists and floorboards vulnerable. Antique furniture can also bring the beetle in, such as a cupboard from an auction or a chair from a flea market. Dry wood in a heated room is far less appealing.
How our woodworm treatment works
Every job starts with one question: is there still life in the wood? A beam full of holes may have been abandoned long ago. Fresh, pale frass, sharp-edged holes and timber that gives when pressed point to activity. We also look at the surroundings: how damp it is, how well ventilated, and how far the damage extends.
If the infestation is active, we treat the timber with a professional product applied into and onto the wood, or choose a method suited to the object, for instance a valuable piece of furniture. If structural beams are badly affected, we advise having a builder or structural engineer assess whether repairs are needed.
Can you treat woodworm yourself?
A small, movable piece of furniture with a few suspicious holes can be monitored first. Stand it on a sheet of dark paper and check after a few weeks whether fresh dust has appeared; that tells you more than the number of holes. Keep it out of the loft and away from other wooden furniture until it is clear what is going on.
For beams, floors and roof structures we advise against DIY treatment. Shop-bought products rarely reach larvae deep inside a beam, and working safely in crawl spaces and lofts is difficult. You would also miss the question that really matters: is the timber still strong enough?
Preventing woodworm: keep the timber dry
Dry wood is the best protection. Make sure the crawl space is well ventilated and the air bricks are clear, have roof or gutter leaks repaired quickly and air the loft regularly. Old, untreated timber you bring into the house, such as reclaimed boards or planks from a flea market, should not be stacked against existing beams.
If you go into the crawl space, look out for other signs while you are there. If you spot droppings or gnawed pipes, read more about mouse control. You can find the other pests we deal with under pest control in The Hague.
