Woodworm treatment in Haarlem: assess first, then treat
Not every hole means the larvae are still at work; old exit holes may have been empty for years. Good woodworm treatment therefore starts with a careful look. We check for fresh, pale bore dust, sharp-edged holes and soft patches, and probe the wood where necessary to see how deep the damage goes.
If the woodworm is active, we treat the affected timber with a professional product that soaks into the wood, exactly where the larvae are. For loose furniture another method may suit better; we discuss that on site. If a beam is so badly affected that its strength is in doubt, we also advise having a builder or structural engineer take a look.
How to recognise woodworm and longhorn beetle
By woodworm we usually mean the larva of the common furniture beetle. It lives inside the wood for years before the adult beetle chews its way out. What you see:
- Small, round exit holes of a few millimetres in floors, beams, stairs or furniture.
- Fine, pale bore dust under or beside the holes, especially in spring and summer.
- Small brown beetles on the windowsill in spring or summer.
- Wood that crumbles when pressed or sounds hollow.
The house longhorn beetle is larger and lives in softwood, such as roof timbers. It leaves oval holes, and you can sometimes hear the larvae gnawing.
Where woodworm comes from
The beetle lays her eggs in joints and small cracks in untreated timber. Damp wood is the favourite: a poorly ventilated crawl space, a loft with a leak or a cellar with condensation. An antique cupboard or old chair from an auction or flea market can also bring woodworm into the house.
An infestation progresses slowly and can go unnoticed for years. The wood is hollowed out from within while the surface still looks reasonably sound. The sooner you act, the more of the original timber can be saved.
Dos and don'ts with woodworm
Want to know whether the infestation is active? Cover the holes with paper or tape in spring. If new holes appear through the paper in summer, or fresh dust shows up, there is still life in the wood. Meanwhile, keep affected furniture away from other wooden pieces.
Do not set to work yourself on load-bearing timber with spray cans or paint; you will not reach the larvae deep inside and you will mask the signs. If you also spot droppings or gnaw marks while checking the crawl space, take a look at mouse control.
Preventing woodworm in future
Dry timber is the most important protection. Make sure the crawl space and loft are well ventilated, fix leaks quickly and keep an eye on humidity in the cellar. Have any second-hand wooden furniture checked before it goes next to your other wooden pieces.
After treatment it is wise to check the spot again a year later for fresh bore dust. If you have other pests besides woodworm, our pest control in Haarlem service will help you further.
