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    KDS Property Preservation
    Woodworm Treatment
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    Woodworm Treatment

    Effective eradication of Common Furniture Beetle and other wood-boring insects.

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    Identification & Treatment in Suffolk, Norfolk & Essex

    "Woodworm" is a generic term for the larvae of wood-boring beetles. The most common in the UK is the Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium punctatum).

    It is actually the larvae (the "worm" stage) that do the damage. They tunnel through the timber for 3-5 years, eating the wood cellulose, before pupating and emerging as adult beetles to breed. This tunneling weakens the timber structure, turning solid wood into a honeycomb of dust.

    Active or Historic?

    Not all flight holes mean active infestation. If the holes are dark and dirty, the infestation may be old and inactive. If the holes have clean, fresh wood inside or you see piles of fine dust (frass), it is active and needs treatment.

    Woodworm lifecycle diagram

    The larvae can remain inside the wood for up to 5 years before emerging

    Common UK Woodborers in Suffolk, Norfolk & Essex

    Common Furniture Beetle

    Most common. Attacks softwoods and European hardwoods. Creates 1.5-2mm round holes.

    Treatment: Spray

    Death Watch Beetle

    Found in old oak beams, usually where rot is present. Creates larger 3mm holes. Harder to treat.

    Treatment: Injection/Gel

    Wood Boring Weevil

    Associated with wet rot and damp timber. Creates ragged, smaller holes. Treatment is removing the rot.

    Treatment: Dry Out
    Technician spraying timber

    Our Treatment Process in Suffolk, Norfolk & Essex

    1

    Preparation

    We clean down the timbers, removing heavy dust and cobwebs to ensure the treatment can penetrate the wood surface. Insulation may need to be lifted.

    2

    Spray Application

    We use a water-based micro-emulsion insecticide (Permethrin). This is sprayed onto all accessible timber surfaces. It kills adult beetles as they emerge and larvae as they eat near the surface.

    3

    Deep Penetration

    For Death Watch Beetle or thick beams, we may need to drill and inject a thixotropic gel to reach the heartwood where the larvae are feeding.

    4

    Safety

    Our modern chemicals are low-odour and safe. You typically only need to stay out of the treated area for 1 hour until dry.

    Complete Eradication in Suffolk, Norfolk & Essex

    We use low-odour, water-based insecticides that are safe for your home.

    • 1 Hour Re-entry Time
    • Long-term Protection
    • HSE Approved Chemicals

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    Woodworm Treatment

    Choosing a woodworm treatment

    Why can identifying the beetle matter before treatment?

    Different wood-boring insects favour different timber conditions and can leave holes of different sizes and shapes. For example, a wood-boring weevil is associated with damp or decaying timber, so applying an insecticide without addressing persistent moisture may miss the underlying issue. An assessment should consider the timber species, surrounding conditions and signs of activity before deciding whether treatment, drying, repair or further investigation is appropriate.

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    Service Area

    Serving Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex

    KDS Property Preservation provides professional damp proofing, waterproofing, timber treatment and property preservation services across East Anglia. We cover Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire and parts of London East.

    SuffolkNorfolkEssexCambridgeshireLondon East
    KDS Property Preservation service area map covering Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire and London East