Help! Woodworm understairs (Croxley, Herts)

francohoops

In our downstairs toilet we seem to have woodworm. This is under the stairs. Builder flagged it today. Arranged for someone to come and have a look tonight. He does pest control and listed woodworm on his website (only called him as local). Anyway, he didn't seem that clued up and said he'd spray it and it should be ok.

Now, we've a young family so don't want some cowboy spraying toxic chemicals. If we need to spray then fine, but we'd prefer someone with a bit more knowledge. Problem is there don't seem to be many woodworm specialists near where we live in Croxley- does anyone have any experience of using a decent reputable firm? Just worried that we get any tom, !!!!!! or harry with a spray gun.

Thanks in advance

Frank

keystone

1. When the holes appear the little blighters have left. So the point of spraying it escapes me unless its just prevention against reinfestation.

2. Are they old holes or new ones? New ones will have a small pile of sawdust immediately underneath.

Cheers

tony6403

If you want you can treat it yourself with this type of product. But as Keystone says if the holes are there the woodworm have flown.



Also, note that some woodworm will only attack damp timber. If there is damp you need to identify its cause and try to eradicate it. You might need to use some preservative on any damp areas.

plumb1_2

You can get one of these, very eco friendly.

http://www.ephotozine.com/user/annettep38-162081/album/critters-of-the-southwest-5715/photo/organic-woodworm-treatment--19580758

francohoops

There is some sawdust, but that may have been there for months, so not sure if fresh. The worry is that they have got into the stairs and the staircase collapses. Do I need to take carpet up on staircase to get a proper look?

Is the Cupinol safe to use indoors ?

Thanks

F

plumb1_2

francohoops wrote: »

There is some sawdust, but that may have been there for months, so not sure if fresh. The worry is that they have got into the stairs and the staircase collapses. Do I need to take carpet up on staircase to get a proper look?

Is the Cupinol safe to use indoors ?

Thanks

F

Always best to investigate further than just where you have seen the holes. Cupinol is safe, just follow the guide on the tin, or just google the info.

dampdaveski

Franco,
I suggest you contact a member of the Property Care Association www.property-care.org
Technically speaking there is no such thing as woodworm, it is a common name associated with common furniture beetle.

I wouldn't use Cuprinol in my house as it stinks! it is an effective product but is far more environmentally and people UNfriendly than professional use products.
the other thing to consider is what type of beetle is it?
for instance if it was something called wood boring weevil (which is incredibly common) this beetle only attacks rotten timber so there is no need to spray it as the only effective control measure is to take out the rotten timber and replace with new.

the sawdust implies recent activity, and it sounds like you will need to take up the stair carpet.
It is perfectly possible for common furniture beetle to feed on / infest drier timber, it just does it a lower rate.
Also if you do treat it yourself and think that slapping a load of woodworm killer on damp timber will protect it, it won't unless the treatment has a fungicide in it

Good luck with it
DD