Woodworm is a common problem in old houses thanks mainly to their age and the presence of moisture in the building. Plenty of homeowners have asked themselves, can I burn woodworm?
Well, if you’re someone who’s asked this question, read on to find out the answer.
Can I Burn Woodworm? Fire can be used to kill woodworm and, by extension, treat the problem. However, fire obviously isn’t a sensible treatment method for wood that’s still part of your home. If it wasn’t already obvious, starting controlled fires in a building is a really bad idea because there’s often no such thing as a controlled fire.
Woodworm typically infects wood that has a high moisture content. As such, fire could be a suitable treatment option, but it’s best not to try and set fire to your home (your insurance company probably wouldn’t like it).
Depending on the extent of the damage, you may or may not need a professional to treat the problem. The other thing to consider is the age of your property.
After all, if it’s a few hundred years old and there’s woodworm damage, it’s fair to assume it’s not too significant because it’s likely not new.
The most effective treatment for woodworm is fumigation, which must be done by a professional. However, there are at-home treatments you can do if the problem isn’t too severe.
You could try this cost effective DIY fumigation:
Does Heat Kill Woodworm?
Yes, heat can kill woodworm. The larvae and beetles are not resistant to high temperatures. Burning infested firewood promptly is a good method to exterminate these pests.
Professional pest control services often use heat treatment, where infected timber is exposed to high temperatures, to eliminate woodworm.
However, this should only be performed by professionals to avoid damaging the wood. Remember, prevention is crucial.
Store firewood properly and inspect regularly for early detection and removal of woodworm-infested logs.
Does Steam Kill Woodworm?
Steam can kill woodworm thanks to its heat. For this, you could use a garment steamer or similar appliance. But as mentioned, woodworm thrives in damp wood, so steam isn’t necessarily the best option.
This is my favourite cost effective garment steamer:
If you’re only treating a small area and can dry the wood out again after, steam should be absolutely fine.
You’ll need to make sure it penetrates fairly deeply into the wood to kill all the worms, eggs and larvae. Again, this isn’t a massively effective treatment but should work if you only need to do small areas.
Does Central Heating Kill Woodworm?
Central heating doesn’t kill woodworm but it can stop them from living in your home. Keeping a building warm will theoretically keep moisture at bay, even in the timbers, which can stop woodworm from living there.
However, the kind of temperatures you’ll get from central heating won’t be enough to kill the bugs themselves.
Of course, central heating shouldn’t be your primary preventative measure. After all, it’s unlikely the heat will penetrate into areas such as the attic, where you can expect to find higher concentrations of woodworm.
However, central heating isn’t far off the heat treatment method for woodworm. All you do with this is get a heater and a fan and simply dry out damp wood. It’s done for a long time to ensure all the worms, eggs and larvae die.
As such, it’s pretty expensive, but once you’ve got the problem under control, central heating should help keep it at bay.
Is it Safe to Burn Wood with Woodworm?
The other approach we can take to this question is whether it’s safe to burn wood that’s infected with woodworm.
The short answer is yes, you can burn wood with woodworm. As mentioned, woodworm isn’t resistant to fire or heat, so it’ll certainly kill them.
The wood itself isn’t any less burnable because some of it has been eaten. That said, you’ll want to dry it out first because damp wood doesn’t burn too well.
Woodworm in Firewood
But one of the most important things you can do is keep the wood in quarantine until you want to burn it. At the very least, keep the firewood outdoors, ideally under cover in a space not connected to your main home.
Whether the wood has come from your home or not, the last thing you want to do is allow live woodworm to get in via firewood.
Granted, the chances of this happening are quite slim, but it’s best to avoid any chance of it happening.
Woodworm in Log Pile
If you discover woodworm in your log pile, take immediate action. First, separate infested logs from the rest to halt the spread. Then, if possible, burn the infested logs promptly. As mention, always store firewood outside, covered and off the ground, to discourage infestations.
Regularly inspect your woodpile and remove any logs showing signs of woodworm, such as exit holes or sawdust. For persistent infestations, consider professional pest control services.
By implementing these preventative measures, you can effectively manage woodworm and protect your home’s timber.
Can Woodworm Spread From Firewood?
Woodworm can indeed spread from firewood. While firewood may appear harmless, it can be a carrier for these pests. Woodworm can survive within the wood and potentially infest other timber items in your home.
However, the risk is significantly minimized if the firewood is burned promptly. To prevent an infestation, it’s advised to store firewood outdoors, covered and off the ground, away from the house, and only bring it indoors when you’re ready to burn it.
Keep it covered with tarpaulin:
Regularly inspect your for woodworm in firewood logs, such as exit holes and fine dust, to catch any potential infestations early.
Woodworm in Logs and Burning Woodworm – Final Thoughts
While heat treatment is an eco method of treating woodworm, the last thing you want to do is to try burning your house down.
So, save burning woodworm for firewood and instead treat the problem in your home with a more effective method.
However, providing you have central heating, there’s very little chance of you having an active woodworm infestation anyway. Of course, if you’re unsure, make sure you speak to a professional for clear advice.
