Termites or Woodworm?

In Pests

If you think you have termites you are most likely seeing woodworm. Termites do not live in the UK.

Woodworm

You will only see holes that have been made as they exit the wood inside or outside of your home. Problems are often only noticed once a survey has been completed at your house. The adult form is a naturally occurring beetle in the UK that lays eggs on dead trees, normally pine but other types of wood in a greater state of decay can be chosen as well.

The adults themselves do not feed on wood but on pollen. As in most insects the adults main function is to mate and to lay eggs. The beetles coming across timbers in your home treat it the same as they would a dead tree and will lay eggs. The eggs will hatch into small grubs that bore into the wood, this is what causes the damage. Too much of this boring will lead to the weakening of the timbers.

The larvae can remain in the wood for up to 6 years but usually emerge in under 3 years. The emerging date is often 6 years in buildings due to the artificial conditions in properties affecting the lifecycle. When the larvae is ready to pupate it bores its way to near the surface of the timber and pupates. The pupal stage refers to when an insect transforms from a larvae to its adult form.

The adult woodworm will then emerge in spring or early summer, this depends on the conditions of the home, and will chew its way out past the remaining wood and fly away. Fine gritty powder will be ejected from the exit holes. The adults will then mate and begin the life cycle and the damage all over again.

PEST UK can treat woodworm in lofts and other wood areas of your home.

Treatment of Woodworm

We will treat the infected accessible timber with an insecticide containing a special timber treatment formulation called ‘Microguard/Permagard’ (HSE no. is 5741) which contains a modern synthetic Pyrethroid insecticide: Permethrin. This spray will not kill any woodworm already living within the wood but will kill any eggs laying on the treated surfaces. This formulation of spray will last many years.

Guarantee

The treatment is guaranteed to prevent fresh infestations of the treated areas of the timber for up to ten years. New exit holes will appear for up to 6 years after a treatment.

To book an appointment please call PEST UK on-

0330 100 2811

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