How Does Woodworm Spread? 

Woodworm is one of the most common problems in an older house. It is a type of beetle that is attracted to the moisture and cellulose found in wood, commonly things like floorboards, skirting and joists. 

However, it’s not limited to parts of the house structure itself, it can also infest furniture and fences.

Woodworm can be costly and disruptive to deal with, so it is important to understand how it spreads to prevent and contain an infestation. But how does woodworm spread? Woodworm spreads when adult beetles leave the affected timber to lay their eggs in cracks or holes in other pieces of wood.

The eggs hatch into larvae, which tunnel through the material as they feed, causing damage to furniture and structural timbers alike.

Read on to learn more about how woodworm spreads.

  • House Longhorn Beetle (Hylotrupes bajulus)
  • Deathwatch Beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum)
  • Wood Boring Weevil (Euophryum confine)
  • Powder Post Beetle (Lyctus brunneus)

How Do You Get Woodworm?

Woodworm refers to the larval stage of wood-boring beetles that infest and damage wooden structures. An infestation occurs when adult beetles lay eggs on the surface of timber, typically in crevices, cracks, or unfinished wood.

As eggs hatch, larvae burrow into the wood, consuming it and creating a network of tunnels. The larvae can live within the wood for years, weakening the structure until they pupate and emerge as adult beetles, leaving exit holes.

The most common woodworm species are the Common Furniture Beetle, Deathwatch Beetle, House Longhorn Beetle, and Powderpost Beetle.

The most obvious sign of woodworm being active is the emergence of holes in the timber, which are made by the adult beetle leaving the wood to mate.

Does Woodworm Spread Easily?

Yes, unfortunately so; woodworm spreads all too easily.

One of the most common questions asked about woodworm is how easily it spreads. The truth is that it can spread rapidly if left untreated.

The eggs of the woodworm beetle can be laid anywhere, and when they hatch, the larvae will tunnel their way through the timber.

The adult woodworm beetles are also capable of flying and will move from one wooden structure to another, laying eggs in the process.

This means that even a small infestation can quickly become much larger. Sometimes it moves because the timber has a chemical on it that the woodworm beetle do not like, such as vinegar.

Woodworm spreads when adult beetles leave the affected timber to lay their eggs in cracks or holes in other pieces of wood. The eggs hatch into larvae, which tunnel through the material as they feed, causing damage to furniture and structural timbers alike. 

Woodworms can spread from one room to another or from one floor to another via the timbers located in the roof space. To stop woodworm in its tracks, regularly apply woodworm treatment like this:

Everbuild Woodworm Killer, Clear, 5 Litre

Simply apply a small amount to a paint brush and brush the affected area.

Woodworm can easily move around your home, some people have reported that they have found woodworm inside their carpets, curtains and upholsteries!

Woodworm can also, though rarely, spread through contact with clothes that have been in an infested area.

If you are unfortunate and your home is infested with woodworm, they are also likely to be in the furniture you have in your home.

A common way to spread woodworm is through the furniture you have in your house. Some people may buy a ‘bargain’ antique piece of furniture and then discover to their horror it is infected.

This can be anything from a chair, table, to even a chest of drawers or wardrobe. In time, not just that piece of furniture but the whole house can be infected.

Signs of Woodworm Spreading

Depending on the species you’re dealing with, the holes may be relatively small and neat or they also can be larger and ragged. Signs of woodworm spreading include:

Fine Powdery Dust

This is a mixture of excrement and digested wood. It can sometimes be found around exit holes in heavy infestations.

Live Beetles

These are normally found from spring to early summer as they leave the timber to find a mate. Once mated, females lay their eggs either on or just below the surface of bare timber or in old exit holes.

After hatching, larvae bore into the timber and feed on it for anything up to five years before emerging as adults, ready to start the cycle again.

Damaged Wood

Evidence of damage varies depending on the type of woodworm present.

The common furniture beetle (Anobium punctatum) leaves a honeycombed appearance with small round holes of about 2mm diameter (the size of a pinhead), while the deathwatch beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum) tends to attack hardwoods such as oak and causes deep furrowing of the surface with much larger 10-15mm diameter holes.

damage wood

How Do You Stop Woodworm From Spreading?

If you have a bit of a problem on your hands with woodworm beetle, then it’s important to act quickly before the problem gets out of hand.

woodworm spread

While the damage caused by woodworm is usually superficial, if left untreated, it can eventually cause major structural damage.

As mentioned, the first thing to do is to kill the woodworm in the affected area, you can treat woodworm instantly using woodworm killer like this:

Soluguard Woodworm Treatment (1x5L & Sprayer) Ready for Use & Spear & Jackson Sprayer

If you are taking woodworm seriously its important to invest in a good product.

There are a few things that you can do to help prevent woodworm from spreading:

Regularly Check Your Wooden Structures and Furniture

You should inspect your wooden structures regularly for any signs of woodworm. This includes checking the timbers for holes and looking out for sawdust or any other evidence of an infestation.

Remove Any Infected Timber

If you do find any signs of woodworm, you should remove the infected timber as soon as possible. This will help to stop the problem from spreading and will also help to protect other parts of your wooden structure.

Use A Suitable Insecticide

The most effective way to treat wood-boring beetle is with insecticide dust or spray. A suitable insecticide can help stop the woodworm beetle from spreading.

There are a number of different insecticides available, so it is important to choose the right one for your needs.

If you’re just looking for a short-term fix, then you can apply a gel directly onto the holes made by the beetles.

Be Vigilant

The best way to stop woodworm from spreading is to be vigilant and keep an eye out for any signs of an infestation. This way, you can nip the problem in the bud before it has a chance to cause too much damage.

Use A Wood Treatment Preservative

If you’re looking for a more long-term solution, you can consider using a wood treatment preservative. A preservative will help to protect the timber from future infestations, as well as from other types of damage.

Several different preservatives are available, so it is important to choose the right one for your needs.

Ensure Good Ventilation

One of the main reasons why woodworm can spread so easily is because it needs a high humidity level to survive. This is one of the reasons why these critters just love the UK!

You can help prevent an infestation by ensuring good ventilation. This will help keep the humidity level down and make it less favourable for the woodworm to thrive.

Deal with Water Damage and Damp

There are, of course, a multitude of reasons why you should deal with damp as soon as possible, but this can be easier said than done in older properties as it can feel like constant maintenance. Woodworm just loves damp conditions.

Also, if you live in an older house, don’t be too sparing with the heating in the winter or you may incur much bigger maintenance bills in the long run.

Clean Your Wooden Structure

Brush any loose dust or debris out of the holes and clean them with a wire brush. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any remaining dust and dirt from the holes and crevices.

If there is any evidence of woodworm larvae or eggs, you can use a strong stream of water to wash them away. Or you can consider freezing it.

Fill Any Remaining Holes With Wood Filler

Once you have cleaned the holes, you can fill them with a good quality wood filler. In addition to protecting the timber from further damage, this will help stop the spread of woodworm.

Seal The Surface With a Coat Of Paint Or Varnish

Once the holes are filled and dried, you can seal the surface with a coat of paint or varnish.

This will help to protect the timber from future infestations and will also help to make it more difficult for the woodworm to spread.

Isolate Any Items That Are Infected

You may also want to isolate any items that are infected with woodworm. In this way, you can prevent further damage from spreading throughout your wooden structure.

Be Careful When Purchasing Second Hand Furniture

Beautiful as antique or vintage furniture is, it can be infested, so always carefully check any new second-hand wooden stuff before bringing it into your home.

Can Woodworm Spread From Furniture to the House?

Yes, as we’ve mentioned. woodworm can spread from furniture to house. In fact, it is quite common for the beetle to infest wooden furniture.

If the furniture is placed in a damp area or near other wooden structures, the woodworm can quickly move to and infest the new area.

It is important to remember that woodworm can also spread through the air, so even if you don’t have any infested furniture, you can still get an infestation if the conditions are right.

Can Woodworm Be Carried On Clothes? 

Although it is less common, woodworm can be carried on clothes. If you are travelling and stay in someone’s house or a hotel that has an infestation, the beetle can easily travel on your clothes to your home: just like fleas or nits.

It is important to remember that even if you don’t see any signs of woodworm, the pesky beetle can still be present.

This means that you should always take precautions and fumigate your belongings before bringing them into your home.

What about other materials like fabrics and carpets? Although woodworms can potentially travel across carpets to reach wooden structures, they do not reside within the fibers of the carpets themselves.

Can Woodworm Spread

Woodworm can spread all too easily, and it is important to nip it in the bud and take the necessary precautions to stop the problem from starting in the first place and/or once spotted, spreading.

Following the steps listed above will help protect your wooden furniture and structures from any further damage. 

Woodworm infestation can be prevented by good maintenance and taking the necessary precautions. If you suspect an infestation, it is best to take action as soon as possible.

The good news is that woodworm is relatively simple and inexpensive enough to fix if caught early.