Woodworm Treatment

ItchyFeet

Hi, I wonder if anyone could advise me please on a ball park figure for woodworm treatment? And do you pay for the survey to tell you if it's active or not, or just the treatment?

I have tried ringing various local companies this morning but none of them are open on a Saturday.

I have woodworm holes in my bathroom floorboards and on the wooden soffits? around the outside of the house at the end of that room, but i haven't seen any grubs or dust. I am looking to put the house on the market and thought it best to double check!

Many thanks!

ItchyFeet

I know it's probably a boring topic, but does anybody have any idea as to costs? Thanks.

Dippypud

Read this thread...

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3213542

there are more threads on here, you should do a search.;)

ItchyFeet

Thanks for the link Dippypud. I did do a search but i didn't see this.

David_Aldred

Hi,
The beetles tend to emerge to breed from late Spring to late Summer although the period can be extended for several reasons and fly to bright, white surfaces such as window cills / be seen within bright bathroom suites etc. Behind the toliet is a common area to find such infestation as the wood is often wetter and more palatable to the insect.

Costs for treatment by a specialist remedial contractor (preferably Property Care Association Member) vary widely but where I live the cost for a three bed semi of average size is in the region of 300 - 450 plus VAT per level of the property (i.e. ground / first floor / roof space as different levels) would be typical. Ask for a long term insurance backed guarantee and permanent warning notices to be placed in areas of access to areas treated (i.e. roof void access trap) saying what product was used, date of treatment, who treated it, details of areas treated and contact details of chemical manufacturer.

The use of long lasting insecticides within the home should be justifed and it is therefore recommended that it be determined by inspection and monitoring whether the infestation is active or not prior to treatment (i.e. those inspecting should be asked to show the client an actual live beetle / larva if stating the infestation is truly active, given many infestations may be inactive / may have been previously treated).

If the client decides to treat simply as a precautionary measure (especially to show any potential purchaser a guarantee) then this would be their choice but not something specifically recommended by a specialist without proof of activity.

Be mindful that the insects fly and if problems are found in one area it is likely that other areas of the property may also be infested and it is impossible to treat all areas throughout since many are inaccessible / may be painted / varnished etc so treatment is likely going to be partially effective if a general infestation is present. If the problem is present to painted second fix joinery such as skirting it may be more cost effective to repalce with pre-treated timber than to pay for surface preperation back to bare wood prior to insecticide treatment.

Also be mindful that spraying the accessible surface timbers with an insecticide is not an instant kill to insects / larva deep within the wood and as such it may be several years before wood stops being eaten / beetles are seen in areas of treatment as the cycle of egg laying, larva and beetle is broken down.

Accordingly what can seem like minor damage at time of treatment can continue to the point of severe damage even with the best treatment by contractors and at no fault to the contractor at all due simply to the inherent limited nature of the way treatment works / depth of penetration with insecticide possible.

Contractors who undertake this work may or may not charge to undertake an inspection / produce a report with the cost of such where they do not charge to inspect or charge at a reduced rate often offset against the treatments they undertake as it should be obvious that the true cost of the contractor's surveyor must be met in some way.

Alternatively an independent Freelance Surveyor specialising in this subject but who only surveys / writes reports on the problem and does not undertake actual insecticide treatment would charge you for them to undertake such an independent survey and produce a detailed report. Hope this helps, kindest regards, David Aldred (independent damp and timber surveyor)

ItchyFeet

Many thanks for the info David! Will try ringing specialist tomorrow for a survey. :beer: