Despite its name, woodworm is a catch-all term not for worms, but for wood-boring beetles that lay eggs in timbers. The name derives from the spots that the larvae leave behind as they emerge from the wood: small holes as if a worm has eaten its way through.
As you might imagine, the larvae in the timbers don’t stay that way forever. After devouring the timbers internally, they will pupate and emerge as a beetle before leaving to repeat the cycle. Having a lot of beetles emerging from and eating the timbers in your basement can cause a lot of damage. The larvae can fester for years and while one alone isn’t an issue, they are never found in isolation. If left unchecked or untreated, the infestation can spread to attack the timbers and furniture in your home, which can lead to widespread structural damage within your property. It can also go undetected for some time as the larvae develop within the timbers, only becoming an issue once the damage has begun.
Prior to the emergence of the beetles, it will be almost impossible to detect, making it difficult to pre-empt. The larvae can spend years eating before emerging from the woodwork as a fully grown beetle, however when this happens you will easily be able to identify them based on the following:
Similarly, to rot, woodworm thrives mostly from damp wood and warm spaces. Their ideal food source is hard woods with a moisture content of 30% or higher, such as a damp timber support or piece of furniture. They can support themselves otherwise, but these are the ideal conditions and the ones you will want to avoid.
If you’re worried about woodworm or want to get your timbers chemically treated as a precaution, call LABS. Our timber professionals will be happy to help with any issues you may be experiencing.
