Woodworm Problem?
Know what to look out for when wood boring insects or woodworm is present
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Woodworm
Woodworm poses a significant threat to countless residential, commercial, and heritage buildings throughout Ireland every single year.
Ignoring an active infestation can lead to serious structural damage across your property. The larvae attack all types of timber including critical roof beams, floor joists, furniture, skirting boards, and flooring. They target the softer, nutrient-rich sapwood layer rather than the resinous heartwood. If your timber is exposed to damp conditions, the risk increases drastically, leading to faster and more widespread destruction.
Rentokil has been protecting Irish homes and businesses from woodworm for decades. Our locally based surveyors are specialists in diagnosing active woodworm issues and will provide clear, professional treatment plans tailored to your property. With regional branches covering the entire country, our expert technicians are always nearby and ready to respond.
If you think you might need professional woodworm control in your home or business, call us and we’ll arrange an appointment that suits you.
What is Woodworm?
"Woodworm" refers to the destructive larval stage of various wood-boring beetles. As these larvae tunnel through your timber to feed on its cellulose, hemicellulose, and nitrogen, they cause significant structural weakness. This hidden feeding process can severely compromise furniture, flooring, joists, and roof beams. Old plywood is particularly vulnerable to attack because its animal-based glues are highly rich in nitrogen.
Once the larvae mature, the adult beetles chew their way out of the timber to continue their life cycle. This emergence leaves behind distinct aesthetic damage in the form of small, round exit holes, accompanied by a fine, powdery dust called frass (the dried larval droppings).
Because different species of wood-boring beetles vary in size and create different levels of tunneling destruction, accurately identifying the exact insect responsible is crucial for implementing an effective treatment.
What do Woodworm look like?
True woodworm larvae are creamy-white with dark heads, but because they feed deep within the timber, they are almost never seen out in the open. If you discover larvae crawling freely on top of your woodwork, they are likely just the grubs of flies, moths, or pantry pests rather than actual wood-boring insects.
Instead, you are far more likely to spot the adult beetles when they chew their way out of the timber between April and September. While their appearance depends on the exact species, most are dark brown or black with hardened wing cases. You will frequently find them gathered on window sills, as they instinctively fly toward the sunlight after emerging.
In Ireland, the Common Furniture Beetle is the most frequent culprit behind property damage. These chocolate-brown pests measure just three to five millimetres long and keep their wings hidden beneath tough protective shells.
Other beetle species carry their own unique markings, and the scale of the destruction they leave behind depends entirely on their specific lifecycle length and tunnel size. Because the destructive larvae remain locked inside your woodwork for most of the year, tracking down the physical signs of damage is always your best way to catch an infestation.
Woodworm Species
Woodworm: Frequently Asked Questions
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How do you get rid of woodworm?
Eliminating woodworm involves treating timber to kill the larvae within and halt their lifecycle. Minor issues on furniture can be handled with targeted surface treatments. However, structural infestations in joists or beams require professional intervention. Rentokil utilises industrial-grade residual insecticidal sprays, deep-penetrating injections, or specialised heat treatments that thoroughly saturate the wood to destroy all life stages.
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How do you tell if you have woodworm?
The clearest indicator is the appearance of fresh, clean-edged exit holes (roughly 1–2mm wide) where adult beetles have chewed out of the timber. You will also notice "frass"—a fine, powdery wood dust collecting beneath these holes. Other signs include crumbling timber edges, sagging floorboards, and spotting small brownish beetles on window sills during summer.
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Does woodworm ever go away on its own?
No, woodworm will not disappear on its own. While adult beetles die within weeks, they lay fresh eggs in the timber crevices before doing so. This hatches a new generation of larvae that tunnel straight back into the wood. This destructive cycle will repeat continuously for decades until the timber is chemically treated or structurally fails.
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How serious is woodworm in a house?
The severity depends on the beetle species and the location of the attack. While an isolated piece of furniture is easily managed, woodworm in structural timbers like roof trusses, load-bearing beams, and floor joists is highly serious. Over time, the internal network of tunnels compromises the structural integrity of the wood, leading to incredibly expensive repair bills.
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How quickly does woodworm spread to a house?
Woodworm spreads steadily rather than instantly. Adult beetles can fly, allowing them to travel from an infested antique or outdoor log pile to lay eggs on untreated timber elsewhere in your home. This spread accelerates significantly if your property suffers from damp or poor ventilation, as moisture softens the wood, making it easier for larvae to feed.
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Is woodworm common in old houses?
Yes, woodworm is exceptionally common in older Irish properties. Older buildings typically feature large amounts of historical, untreated timbers that have been exposed to decades of ambient moisture. Combined with a higher likelihood of structural dampness, leaks, or poor sub-floor ventilation, older homes provide the perfect habitat for wood-boring beetles to thrive.
Expert Woodworm Control
We’ve been providing woodworm control for over 85 years. Our experts recognise the different types of woodworm and offer precisely targeted treatment to sort out the problem quickly – and for good. With that in mind, all our treatments carry a 10 year guarantee.