EXPERT ADVICE
If you’re renovating a home with timber beams, having the know-how to treat woodworm is a useful tool. Left untreated, active woodworm can cause serious structural and aesthetic problems — especially in old timber frame buildings. A relatively common issue in the UK, woodworm usually makes an appearance in damp and poorly ventilated areas – where wood cannot dry out – which is why it’s a serious concern when renovating a house. Like fungus, woodworm prefers a moist environment. Infestations usually target areas that are left undisturbed — wooden beams or joists, covered floorboards, or furniture kept in storage.
WHAT IS WOODWORM?
‘Woodworm’ refers to the white, caterpillar-like, larvae of certain beetles. The larvae burrow into wood, eating the timber
