Woodworm Treatment in Newcastle
Woodworm Treatment in Newcastle
DP Damp Proofing have many years’ experience of woodworm treatment in Newcastle and surrounding areas. We are a local based company with the knowledge and skills to tackle all aspects of woodworm removal and treatment.
We offer professional and dependable damp and timber services throughout the North East for both residential and commercial customers.
What is Woodworm?
A typical beetle has a 6-year life cycle, during which it lays its eggs and develops into a grub, which causes harm. The beetle tunnels out of the wood to look for a fresh place to lay eggs and continue its life cycle. Adult beetles typically erupt from the wood in the summer. As a result, the surface of the wood develops microscopic holes.
Spotting Woodworm, Beetles, and Larvae
Due to woodworm beetles’ seasonal lifecycle, spotting one can be challenging. They are easier to spot between March and July. This is the time of year when they tunnel out of the wood to mate. Since they are attracted to light, it is usual to see them close to the window or on the windowsill.
These are the first places to check if you suspect a woodworm infestation on your property. You may observe the beetles crawling as they search for mates. They have a little brown head and a yellow or off-white body. Their heads spot black pincers with which they drill into wood.
Common types of woodboring insects – aka woodworm in Newcastle include:
- Deathwatch beetle
- House longhorn beetle
- The House longhorn beetle
- Powder post beetle
What Attracts Woodworm, Beetles and Woodboring insects?
To lay eggs, wood-boring beetles seek untreated wood rich in moisture. The reason is that wet wood is softer and easier to drill into. Additionally, damp wood is easy for them to chew.
Although each wood-boring beetle species has a certain preferred type of wood, they generally prefer hardwoods with a moisture content of about 30%. Wet wood increases the woodworm beetles’ chances of continuing their lifecycle.
It is difficult for the beetles to lay eggs in treated wood. They do not love the harsh environment that treated wood offers. They have trouble penetrating any kind of sealed wood.
Signs of Woodworm Infestation
Since many of our clients are unsure if they have a woodworm infestation or not, we are frequently forced to describe what woodworm beetles look like, plus signs of infestation. Any timber or wood with “exit holes” is a sure sign of infestation. The question is whether the pests are still present or have long migrated to damper pastures. Woodworms will keep eating away at the wood if it is not treated, eventually causing it to collapse.
Watch out for these tell-tale signs of woodworm beetle infestation.
- 1-1.5mm exit holes in timber.
- The presence of a frass-powdery excrement
- Tunnels in the wood
- Damaged wood
- Boards and joists with rough edges
- Actual insects, either living or dead!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Just because you notice holes in the wood doesn’t necessarily mean that there is an active infestation. The woodworm beetles might have already left the wood. But that doesn’t mean the wood is safe. The woodworm beetle activity may have left it weak and unsafe. So, it may still require treatment, repair or replacement.
The exact treatment tactic will vary depending on which woodworm beetle species is feeding on your timber. Work with a qualified professional to determine the woodworm beetle species before choosing a course of treatment because not every woodworm beetle species is dangerous.
How to treat woodworm?
The main types of woodworm treatments are sprays and gels, which can work as either surface or injection treatments.
Surface treatments may work fine if the woodworm issue is limited to small items like upholstery. This involves brushing, dipping, or spraying an insecticide-containing woodworm beetle treatment onto the affected timbers. Any nearby timber must also be treated as a measure to stave off further infestations. Once the treated boards have dried, they are repainted or coated with a wood preserver.
On the other hand, if the woodworm beetles have drilled deep beneath the wood surface, injection or gel treatment is highly advised. This is accomplished by injecting insecticide spray into the mature beetles’ escape tunnels. Alternatively, the wood can be treated by boring into the insect-infested zone and injecting a gel or paste insecticide.
If the damaged wood is structurally unsound, you may have to replace it. Timbers may appear sturdy, but if the joist’s core has been destroyed, it won’t be able to support the floor. All new or replacement wood is treated with moisture-resistant or dual-purpose caber flooring.
Tips for the Most Effective Woodworm Treatment in Newcastle?
- Keeping your timber and wooden structures dry
- Maintaining good ventilation and interior temperature
- Investing in furniture made of hardwood of superior quality.
- Using a varnish substance to seal the wood.
- Checking for woodworm beetle signs before purchasing used furniture
- Getting rid of infected wood from your property
- Using a woodworm-killing substance on the wood
In addition to rising damp, plastering and dry rot, DP Damp Proofing has been dealing with woodworm treatment in Newcastle for many years and all work is backed by a 30 year transferrable guarantee you can rely on.
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