Wood is very decorative and durable. But it is also a habitat for many organisms. Woodworm is a pest that can destroy all your wood in the house. You have different forms of woodworm and an equal number of remedies.
Woodworms are actually the larvae of beetles. These lay their eggs in seams and holes in the wood. When the larvae hatch, they bore into the wood. Eventually, the larvae pupate in the wood and turn into beetles that come out to mate. Then the cycle starts again. There are a few types of wood-destroying beetles and beetle larvae.
Identifying the problem
The common woodworm
This is the most common species in the Netherlands and Belgium. He has provided for furniture and affects many types of wood. The adult beetle is a small brown insect, about 6 mm long. It lays about sixty eggs in the crevices of wood, usually between May and September. Look for round holes about 2 mm in diameter and wood fibers around the hole. If you see any holes, it means the beetle has left by now. However, she may have laid eggs in the environment. Check the roof wood, the floorboards, under the stairs, the skirting boards and also your furniture, in short: all your wood.
The Beetle
This rarely occurs in homes, as it prefers old hardwoods such as half-decayed oak. This is mainly found in the beams of churches. Adult beetles are spotted gray-brown with yellow spots. They are about 6 mm long and produce round holes, 3 mm in diameter, and rough round droppings. The specific hollow knock, or tap, is the sound of a beetle hitting the wood with its head. If you discover these pests, it is best to seek professional help.
The splintwood beetle
Attacks only certain hardwoods, such as oak, ash, walnut, willow and elm, in the first few years after they are cut. There are no clearly visible corridors. The wood is destroyed in layers, leaving a thin layer of wood only on the surface. Look for round holes, about 2 mm in diameter, and a powdery substance near the holes.
The house goat
This beetle, also often referred to as the longhorn beetle, attacks only the sapwood of softwood and is usually found in wooden roof structures. A few oval holes about 6 mm in diameter indicate the presence of this pest. It hides just below the surface, but the internal damage can go unnoticed because a nice veneer layer remains on the top. The house buck larva can be present in the wood for up to six years and causes serious structural damage. If you find these pests, you should notify the local government and seek professional help.
To solve the problem
If you are planning to buy a house over 20 years old and you are undergoing a building survey, keep an eye out for woodworm as well. If the house has already been treated for woodworm, ask if you can be the certificate so that you know how long the warranty will last. If you own an older home with a lot of woodwork and you find woodworm, you should definitely take measures. Saw or chop away and burn all affected wood. Remove all surface layers, such as paint and varnish. Clean the wood well and remove the dust with a vacuum cleaner. Then treat it with woodworm poison. Treat any wood you have replaced with woodworm poison as well or, even better, use pressure impregnated wood.
An attic space
Empty the attic. Protect yourself adequately from poison that must be sprayed. Sometimes protective equipment can also be rented. Alternatively, you can also apply the woodworm poison with a paintbrush. Pay extra attention to corners and crevices. Ventilate the room as much as possible.
A wooden floor
If possible, lift the affected floorboards and see if any damage to the beams is visible. If it is not possible to remove the floorboards, spray or smear the surface thoroughly with woodworm poison.
Furniture
Coat all surfaces with two coats of woodworm poison, especially the back, bottom and drawers. As extra protection, you can use a special nozzle to inject woodworm poison into the holes.