WOODWORM TREATMENT IN MIDDLESBROUGH

Timber Preservation Experts Middlesbrough

There are many different types of woodworm and they all cause damage to any timber they choose to live in. Woodworm larvae bore holes in the wood in search of food; cellulose.Once adults, they create tunnels through the wood to find an exit, leaving small identifiable holes in the wood. Over time, the many tunnels and chambers created by the woodworm larvae leave the wood weak and damaged.

WOODWORM TREATMENT IN Middlesbrough

The first step to treatment is to fully establish the extent of the infestation. Our surveyor will be able to identify this. Once the extent of the infestation is known an appropriate woodworm treatment can be recommended.

Danford Brewer & Ives will first determine the species of woodworm causing the damage as different circumstances need different treatments. Depending on what they find, Danford Brewer & Ives can treat the woodworm with either a chemical spray, injection or surface paste.

For infestations that are not severe, normally only the surfaces of the timbers need to be treated to kill any emerging woodworm beetles and prevent them from mating and laying more eggs. This will protect the timber from further infestation by wood boring insects.

How to identify woodworm

The beetles that cause woodworm, and their larvae, are difficult to see. Therefore, identifying an active woodworm infestation means looking for the right signs.

Tell tale signs to identify woodworm include:

  • Small round holes in your woodwork, similar to the holes in a dart board.
  • Fine, powdery dust around these holes (this is known as frass).
  • Crumbly edges to boards and joists.
  • Adult beetles emerging from the holes or present around the house.
  • You may find frass at the back of or underneath furniture without seeing any visible holes.
  • Weak and damaged floorboards may indicate presence of active woodworm infestation.
If you think your house may have woodworm infestation and would like to get it treated, please call Danford Brewer & Ives on 01642 695 685 for a qualified survey.

OUR SPECIALIST WORKS PROCESS

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CONTACT US

Complete the enquiry form below or call us directly to discuss your damp or timber problem. On this call, we will arrange to visit you and survey your property. There is a small fee for the site survey, which will be confirmed on the call. If you proceed with the full works, this fee is refundable against any further works carried out.

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SITE SURVEY

One of our qualified team will visit your property at an agreed time and date. We will assess the problem and determine the best solution. Once we understand the root cause of the problem we can creat a suitable plan to fix it. Following the site survey we will provide you with a written report and quotation.

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WE FIX IT

Once you are happy for the works to proceed we will then arrange a convenient time and date with you to carry out the specialist works as per the quotation. Most specialist works are usually completed within a couple of days and involve minimal disruption. Our team will keep you fully up to date on the works progress during this time.

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AFTERCARE

In order for the guarantee to be activated all of the specialist works need to be signed off. A comprehensive checklist will be completed and signed off by both our team & yourself to make sure you are fully satisfied with the works. Following the sign off, where appropriate, the works can be fully guaranteed.

Life Cycle of Woodworm

Woodworm beetles mate, then the female lays eggs within small natural cracks in the wood or at timber ends.

When they hatch, larvae live within the timber for between two and five years. They are around 2mm long, and burrow into and feast on the surrounding timber. That weakens the wood and produces the frass powder as a waste product.

The larvae pupate then transforms into an adult beetle, finally burrowing to the surface and creating small, round exit holes. By this stage, damage to the timber has been done. Female adult beetles live between 10 and 14 days, while males live only three to four days. They mate during their short lifespan, continuing the life cycle.

Woodworm Prevention Tips

There are various things you can do to prevent woodworm, though they can be difficult to stop altogether.

Possible measures include:

  • Keeping your home well heated and ventilated
  • Keeping all the wood in your property dry
  • Using varnish or preservative to seal exposed wood surfaces, especially the underside or backings of furniture
  • Buying good quality, hardwood furniture
  • Checking any antique or second-hand furniture for woodworm before buying it
  • Removing and replacing any infected timber in your home
  • Use electric flytraps to catch wood-boring beetles to prevent them from mating.

AREAS WE COVER:

We serve all areas of Middlesbrough including...
  • AYRESOME
  • BECKFIELD BEECHWOOD
  • BROOKFIELD
  • COULBY NEWHAM
  • CENTRAL MIDDLESBROUGH
  • CLAIRVILLE
  • MARTON WEST
  • ESTON

FAQs

What Attracts Woodworm?

Woodworm is attracted to damp environments. If a property is suffering from the effects of damp, whether from leaks, rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation or poor insulation, then this can create decay in its woodwork.

Decay attracts wood-boring beetles that lay eggs in the wood. They hatch into larvae that burrow into the wood, feeding on it and weakening it over time.

Bringing wood into the home can also encourage woodworm infestation, whether from antique furniture or even firewood and driftwood. Failing to take measures to counter woodworm can further encourage its spread. Check all wooden fittings, furniture and other items.

How Serious is Woodworm Infestation?

The problem with woodworm infestation is that by the time you can see the evidence of holes in your wood, the damage has been done. Its seriousness will depend on where it is occurring and what kind of woodworm it is.

Some species of wood-boring beetle can be more destructive than others. For example, the House Longhorn Beetle can cause serious, structural damage to the property by infecting all the softwood timber in it.

Because woodworm problems are mostly invisible, it makes sense to seek professional advice and help in identifying its cause, location and the best means of ridding your property of it.

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