Woodworm
An infestation of woodworm is usually pretty easy to spot. Woodworm are beetle larvae which steadily bore through the timbers of your house, consuming the wood in front of them as they tunnel through it. They therefore leave very characteristic holes in any item colonised, and in an active infestation these will often be surrounded by powdery frass (or faecal matter).
You may also see either the newly-pupated adult beetles emerging from the wood, or adults laying their eggs on the item already infested. Although it’s easy to spot the signs of their presence, it’s altogether more difficult for a non-expert to identify which species of beetle your timber is hosting. Since the term ‘woodworm’ is not specific to one particular species, your infestation may be caused by any of the following:
- Common Furniture Beetle is by far the most commonly encountered form of woodworm in the UK. It is fairly straightforward to treat.
- Powderpost Beetle can be treated in almost the same way as the Common Furniture Beetle.
- Deathwatch Beetle is trickier to treat than either of the above.
- House Longhorn Beetle can cause particular problems, as its large larvae make burrows with a wider bore, damaging the wood more extensively. Also potentially difficult to treat.
Since the approach taken to treating different kinds of woodworm differs according to species, it is important to correctly identify the species causing your infestation. London Damp Company’s timber infestation specialists can help. Call us on 0207 127 6886.
Wet Rot
Wet rot is a common infestation caused by a wood-digesting fungus. It’s usually found in places affected by lingering damp or moisture and with poor ventilation. Like woodworm, wet rot is caused by fungi from a range of different species, so it can present itself in different ways.
Since fungi are even tricky for experts to identify, it’s far better to be safe than sorry. London Damp Company’s free timber survey book an inspection will pinpoint the cause of your wood rot, and we’ll use it to suggest a treatment plan.
Dry Rot
Dry rot is also caused by a fungus: it is of crucial importance to reliably determine whether your wood rot is a case of dry or wet rot. A diagnosis of dry rot warrants much more extensive and aggressive treatment than one of wet rot, because this condition poses a major threat to the structural integrity of your home. If you have dry rot in your timbers, you’ll often notice one or more of the following telltale signs:
- A pungent musty, damp odour (caused by active decay).
- A characteristically cuboidal pattern of cracking on the surface of the wood.
- Fluffy white growth resembling cotton wool.
- Mushroom-like fruiting bodies surrounded by rust red spore dust.
If you have even the slightest suspicion that your timbers are infested with dry rot, call us on 0207 127 6886 or use the online form to book a timber and damp survey without delay. Book an inspection