What Does a Woodworm Look Like?
We often get asked to explain what does woodworm looks like as many of our customers are not sure whether they have an infestation of woodworm or not. The obvious sign of a woodworm beetle issue is by looking at what we call ‘exit holes’ in any wood or timber. These holes are just a few millimetres in diameter and are easily visible.
However, just because there are holes present, doesn’t mean you have a current (or live) infestation. It may be that the woodworm left long ago leaving the damage behind, but this still could mean that the timber has been left weakened and potentially dangerous.
Signs of Woodworm
Identifying a woodworm problem in its early stages is the most important stage in treating a woodworm problem. In many cases, you may not even be aware that you have a woodworm problem until the damage has been done and you can see the evidence that wood-boring beetle has been at work. Left untreated woodworm will continue to feed on the timber resulting ultimately in the structural failure of the timber.
There are a number of different types of woodworm beetle that can affect property but there are tell-tale signs that you can look out for. Our list below details what to look for when you suspect you may have a woodworm problem.
If you are seeing any of the signs below then it is advisable to contact a specialist to start the process of treating your woodworm problem. You can learn more about how to treat woodworm at Timberwise by visiting the woodworm treatment page.
One of the most unfortunate parts of a woodworm infestation is that the signs of the problem are only visible at the end of the woodworm’s lifecycle. This is when the woodworm beetle breaks free from within the timber to continue its breeding.
Sign 1: Exit Holes in Timber
The signs to look out for are what we call exit holes. When identifying if you have active woodworm in your property one very visual sign is the holes created by the woodworm as they exit the wood. The size of the holes varies depending on the species of woodworm but typically they are between 2mm and 5mm.
If the woodworm problem is active the holes will have a ‘clean’ or ‘fresh’ appearance. They can often only be spotted up close, unless there is a large infestation and many exit holes together. Check out our examples below of different types of exit holes:
Sign 2: Presence of Frass (Bore dust)
Another sign that you have a live woodworm infestation in your property is the presence of frass being left by the beetle when it chews its way through the wood. Frass is a dust created by woodworm. The frass or woodworm dust is light in colour and looks almost like very fine wood shavings.
This frass is essentially woodworm waste and it can be this waste that can help us identify what type of woodworm beetle is present. For example… the frass produced by the wood-boring weevil is ‘sticky’ to the touch as a result of there being moisture present. The images below give an indication of what to look out for:
Sign 3: Tunnels within the wood caused by woodworm
Although this is an obvious sign that you have a woodworm problem it is also one of the least visible. The tunnels are created by the woodworm as it makes it way through the timber.
Sign 4: Damaged wood
Damage wood is a clear sign that woodworm are causing damage to your property. Damage could range from weakened floorboards through to crumbling skirting boards. It is important not to confuse woodworm damage with the damage caused by dry rot or wet rot. If you are unsure which of these property care issues are causing the damage then it is important to contact a timber specialist to inspect the timber to avoid unnecessary treatments that may not be appropriate.
Sign 5: Actual beetles (Dead or alive!)
Dead woodworm beetles may be seen near timbers that are infected. Likewise, during the beetle ‘flight season’ between May and October, you could see live beetles as they emerge from the timbers. Learn more about the woodworm lifecycle here.
Spotting Woodworm, Beetles and Larvae
Spotting woodworm can be difficult due to the existing of woodworm beetle being seasonal. The best time to spot woodworm is between the months of March and September (this is also known as the flight season). Although quite a broad time-scale, this is when woodworm is most likely to leave the timber in an attempt to mate.
One of the first places you will notice a woodworm infestation may not actually be on the wood itself as woodworm fly to a source of light it is common to find woodworm near the proximity of your window and window sills. It is there you will be able to see the woodworm beetle crawling looking to find a mate.
Types of Woodworm Beetles
Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium Punctatum)
What does it look like?
● Small, dark, reddish.
● 3mm – 5mm in length.fg
● Regular lines running down its wings.
Habitat
● This common furniture beetle is by far the most common cause of damage encountered. Its specialty is sapwood of softwood and European hardwoods.
Signs of Infestation
● Round holes approximately 1.5 2mm in diameter.
● Small piles of frass seen within tunnels or on surfaces.
● Frass will have a gritty texture.
Deathwatch Beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum)
What does it look like?
● Chocolate brown in colour.
● 8mm in length.
● Patches of yellowish hairs.
Habitat
● The Deathwatch beetle usually attacks oak, however it will attack Softwood if wellrotted and in contact with infested hardwood.
Signs of Infestation?
● Round holes about 3mm diameter.
● Extensive tunnelling.
● Lots of frass usually present; frass is 'bun' shaped, readily visible to the naked eye.
Woodboring Weevils (Euophryum confine and Pentarthrum huttoni)
What does it look like?
● Small, brown and black.
● Up to 5mm in length.
● Distinctive long snout.
● Antennae one third distance along snout.
Habitat
● Woodboring Weevils attack both softwoods and hardwoods which have previously been subject to decay.
● Destruction is most commonly seen in damp skirting boards and embedded joist ends.
Signs of Infestation
● Tunnelling in sapwood tends to run along the grain.
● Tunnels are narrow, around 1mm diameter.
● Frass is likely to be 'sticky' due to the dampness.
Powder Post beetle (Lyctus brunneus)
What does it look like?
● A mid reddish brown.
● 8 - 9mm in length.
● Flattened in shape.
Habitat
The powder post beetle unlike other beetles infest timber prior to its arrival in your home. Its arrival in the timber usually occurs when it’s being stored and cured and will later emerge from the finished product. The powder post beetle only attacks sapwood of wide ported hardwoods such as oak and obeche. The timber must be of recent origin, less than 15 years old and therefore is most likely to be seen in newly introduced hardwoods such as oak flooring or oak kitchen units.
Signs of Infestation
● Round holes 1.5 - 2mm.
● Usually lots of flourlike frass - smooth when rubbed.
● Live insects may be found around breakout holes.
House Longhorn Beetle (Hylotrupes bajulus)
What does it look like?
● Larger than most woodworm beetles at 15 - 20mm in length.
● Black to dark brown.
● Long antennae.
● Grey hairs prominent on wing covers.
Habitat
This insect is specifically localised to the southeast of England, centred around Camberley. The House Longhorn beetle attacks the sapwood of softwood and can potentially cause severe structural damage to properties.
Signs of Infestation
● Oval emergence holes, 68mm across.
● Severe internal damage, often filled with loose frass.
● The surface of wood often remains thin and brittle when subject to a severe attack.
Woodworm FAQs
We have listed some frequently asked questions down below from our customers about different aspects of a woodworm:
We have explained the signs to look out for when spotting signs of woodworm but how do you know if the woodworm is still active? The common signs of the woodworm still being active are:
- Frass is left by the woodworm
- The exit holes that have been left by the woodworm are light in colour and have sharp edges.
- The edges of the timber beams start to break away and have light wood underneath.
Having woodworm in furniture is not what any property owner wants to have but it is more of a nuisance than a big problem to have in your property. However, beetles such as the House Longhorn Beetle can cause serious damage to your building and therefore a big problem for any property owner.
We would always recommend that even small woodworm infestations should be checked by a specialist as even a small issue may turn out to be a big problem, if not identified and treated earlier enough.
In a majority of cases, the woodworm will be eating through the upper parts of the timber, meaning large parts of the wood furniture are not affected. This means that specific areas of the wood can be treated. However, if large parts of furniture have been affected and it is structurally weak, then it is worth removing it from your house.
Have Problems With Woodworm Beetles in Your Home?
If you are concerned with woodworm beetles in your property then don’t hesitate to give Timberwise a call on 0800 288 8660 or alternatively, you can request a survey online. A survey through Timberwise will be able to identify the full extent of the problem and determine whether woodworm treatment is necessary.
