WOODWORM TREATMENT IN DARLINGTON

Timber Preservation Experts Darlington

There are many different types of woodworm and they all cause damage to any timber they choose to live in. Woodworm larvae bore holes in the wood in search of food; cellulose.Once adults, they create tunnels through the wood to find an exit, leaving small identifiable holes in the wood. Over time, the many tunnels and chambers created by the woodworm larvae leave the wood weak and damaged.

WOODWORM TREATMENT IN DARLINGTON

The first step to treatment is to fully establish the extent of the infestation. Our surveyor will be able to identify this. Once the extent of the infestation is known an appropriate woodworm treatment can be recommended.

Danford Brewer & Ives will first determine the species of woodworm causing the damage as different circumstances need different treatments. Depending on what they find, Danford Brewer & Ives can treat the woodworm with either a chemical spray, injection or surface paste.

For infestations that are not severe, normally only the surfaces of the timbers need to be treated to kill any emerging woodworm beetles and prevent them from mating and laying more eggs. This will protect the timber from further infestation by wood boring insects.

How to identify woodworm

The beetles that cause woodworm, and their larvae, are difficult to see. Therefore, identifying an active woodworm infestation means looking for the right signs.

Tell tale signs to identify woodworm include:

  • Small round holes in your woodwork, similar to the holes in a dart board.
  • Fine, powdery dust around these holes (this is known as frass).
  • Crumbly edges to boards and joists.
  • Adult beetles emerging from the holes or present around the house.
  • You may find frass at the back of or underneath furniture without seeing any visible holes.
  • Weak and damaged floorboards may indicate presence of active woodworm infestation.
If you think you may have an woodworm infestation and would like to get it treated, please call Danford Brewer & Ives on 01325 271877 for a qualified survey.

OUR SPECIALIST WORKS PROCESS

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CONTACT US

Complete the enquiry form below or call us directly to discuss your damp or timber problem. On this call, we will arrange to visit you and survey your property. There is a small fee for the site survey, which will be confirmed on the call. If you proceed with the full works, this fee is refundable against any further works carried out.

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SITE SURVEY

One of our qualified team will visit your property at an agreed time and date. We will assess the problem and determine the best solution. Once we understand the root cause of the problem we can creat a suitable plan to fix it. Following the site survey we will provide you with a written report and quotation.

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WE FIX IT

Once you are happy for the works to proceed we will then arrange a convenient time and date with you to carry out the specialist works as per the quotation. Most specialist works are usually completed within a couple of days and involve minimal disruption. Our team will keep you fully up to date on the works progress during this time.

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AFTERCARE

In order for the guarantee to be activated all of the specialist works need to be signed off. A comprehensive checklist will be completed and signed off by both our team & yourself to make sure you are fully satisfied with the works. Following the sign off, where appropriate, the works can be fully guaranteed.

Identifying an Active Woodworm Infestation

The beetles that cause woodworm, and their larvae, are difficult to see. Therefore, identifying an active woodworm infestation means looking for the right signs.

First, look for small, round exit holes in timber. Secondly, is there fine, powdery dust around the woodworm exit holes you have spotted? This bore-dust is known as frass, and it is the wood-boring insects’ excreta.

Sometimes you can find frass at the back of or underneath furniture without seeing any visible holes. Where boards and joists have crumbling edges, or where timber and flooring are weak, these too can be signs of an active woodworm infestation. You may see the adult beetles emerging from holes in timber, around the house, or see dead ones near the holes.

Life Cycle of Woodworm

Woodworm beetles mate, then the female lays eggs within small natural cracks in the wood or at timber ends.

When they hatch, larvae live within the timber for between two and five years. They are around 2mm long, and burrow into and feast on the surrounding timber. That weakens the wood and produces the frass powder as a waste product.

The larvae pupate then transforms into an adult beetle, finally burrowing to the surface and creating small, round exit holes. By this stage, damage to the timber has been done. Female adult beetles live between 10 and 14 days, while males live only three to four days. They mate during their short lifespan, continuing the life cycle.

AREAS WE COVER:

We serve all areas of Darlington including...
  • HARROWGATE HILL
  • MOWDEN
  • BEAUMONT HILL
  • FAVERDALE
  • COATHAM MUNDEVILLE
  • MIDDLETON SAINT GEORGE
  • BLACKWELL
  • FIRTHMOOR
    • SKERNE PARK
    • WEST PARK
    • NEWTON AYCLIFFE
    • WHINFIELD
  • STOCKTON-ON-TEES
  • BISHOP AUCKLAND
  • THE DENES
  • HUMMERSKNOTT

FAQs

What is Woodworm?

Woodworm refers to the larvae of a wood-boring insects. There are four common species of these beetles in the UK: the Common Furniture Beetle, the Deathwatch Beetle, the House Longhorn beetle and the Powder Post Beetle.

These woodworm insects lay eggs in the wood, and when the larvae hatch they burrow into the wood, feeding on it. They return to the surface to mate and begin a lifecycle all over again.

It can cause considerable damage to timber including furniture, boards, joists, and flooring.

Since it is an insect infestation, getting rid of woodworm requires the use of special insecticides and medication.

What Does a Woodworm Look Like?

The actual woodworm, which is the larvae of a woodworm beetle, can be difficult to spot. Instead, it is easier to find the evidence it leaves behind.

Woodworm leave holes in timber, whether this is furniture or other wooden elements in a property. The larvae leave behind a fine, powdery residue known as frass.

Other visible evidence of woodworm infestation can be crumbling edges to wooden boards or joists and weakened floorboards or other timber. Sometimes you might see the adult beetles, either emerging out of their exit holes or elsewhere in your property.

The Common Furniture Woodworm beetle has a brown body and can grow to 4.5mm in length.

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