ABBEY
PRESERVATION

Woodboring insects such as the Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium Punctatum) and Wood Boring Weevil (Euophryum confine) are often gathered under the generic term "woodworm".

The Common Furniture Beetle will attack all types of structural timber and accounts for two thirds of all "woodworm" damage to properties. It is most commonly found in older properties although the beetle can also be found in more modern properties. Very old properties can have holes which became inactive many years ago and to the layman look identical to fresh holes where damage is being done.

COMMON FURNITURE BEETLE
(ANOBIUM PUNCTATUM)

The surveyor will be able to determine if there is a problem and prescribe the most appropriate treatment. Usually this involves the application of a contact insecticide directly to the timbers throughout the common flight area. This will prevent new attacks and kill any adults as they emerge. As the life span of these insects is three to four years there may be continued activity from the current generation of larvae for this period.

Amongst the many other species of insects which attack structural timber the Wood Boring Weevil is the most common. This insect shares many similarities with the Common Furniture Beetle but importantly it is found only in decaying timber. An application of insecticide will kill the current generation but until the source of the problem is tackled reinfestation may be a possibility. Decaying timber is usually a sign of wet rot and the surveyor will make a thorough investigation before deciding on treatment.

There is a common misconception that central heating will "dry" the timbers in a property to a level where the beetles cannot survive. A normal centrally heated home has a natural moisture level that varies with the seasons and also varies throughout the house. Relative humidity is naturally high in summer when the central heating is off and this is when the eggs are laid. Even when the heating is on during the winter months many areas remain damp such as in the roof, the cellar and in the floor joists. Indeed, the combination of central heating and loft insulation can increase humidity levels encouraging the insects to spread. Thus it is wise to check for damage in properties of all ages.