What to Do If You Find Woodworm

Finding woodworm holes is worrying, but there is no need to panic. Most cases are slow and treatable. This guide lists the steps to take, in order.

Step 1: stay calm and look closely

Check the holes in good light. Measure one with a ruler. Holes of 1 to 2mm are usually furniture beetle, while larger holes suggest other species. Note where you found them and when.

Step 2: check whether it is active

Many homes have old holes from dead beetles. Look for fresh, pale dust, clean holes and live beetles in late spring and summer. Our guide to active versus historic woodworm shows the checks.

If everything looks old, you may need no treatment. Keep watching the wood each spring, because that costs nothing.

Step 3: look for damp

Beetle prefers damp wood. Check for leaks, damp patches and blocked air bricks. If you find a source, fix it. Without that, any treatment may fail.

Step 4: judge the damage

Press a screwdriver into the wood. If it sinks in easily, the timber may be weak. Check whether floors bounce or rafters sag. Weak timber needs a specialist, because it may be a safety risk. See is woodworm dangerous?.

Step 5: protect the area

Take simple steps while you decide:

• Clear stored items away from the affected timber
• Vacuum the dust so you can see if it returns
• Keep children and pets away from any treated area
• Isolate infested furniture

Step 6: choose your route

For a small item, a shop product may be enough. For floors, joists and roofs, a professional survey is safer. Read how to treat woodworm and compare the options in our treatment methods guide.

Step 7: get a survey if unsure

A survey names the beetle, checks activity and scopes any work. It also gives you a written report to compare quotes. See what a survey covers, and check the cost guide for typical prices.

If you are buying or selling

Woodworm often appears in a property survey. It does not always stop a sale. Our buyer guide explains how to handle it.

If you rent

Tell your landlord in writing and keep a copy. A landlord must keep the home safe and in good repair. Give details of where and when you saw the signs.

Ready to take the next step? Request a survey and a local specialist will call you.

Homes differ by city, so local advice helps. Our pages on woodworm treatment in Cardiff and woodworm treatment in Liverpool explain the usual problems.

To go deeper, read about the spray treatment and the common furniture beetle, because the right method depends on the beetle.