Woodworm....Advice Sought Please

maybe_tomorrow_2

Good morning, I have recently discovered active woodworm in some shelves in my kitchen (beech I believe). I can see the beetles, frass and flight holes etc and they appear to be the common furniture beetle.

I have read many internet sites and I am none the wiser as to whether I should get rid of the shelves, treat the shelves, or just leave them as there is no risk of cross-infection.

Any thoughts and advice would be welcome.

diamond_dave

Had this problem - and would suggest removing shelves and burning then spray any remaining timber with w/w treatment fluid. Do this a couple of times and all should be well. You say that you can see the beetles but to the best of my knowledge, the beetles ONLY appear between about April and August and usually attack damp timber. The shelves are beech,you say, were the beetles already in the wood?

maybe_tomorrow_2

Thanks. Bought the wood about 10 months ago from a well known DIY store. Cut them to size and put them up. It was only last night that I noticed the flight holes. Upon closer inspection I could see several beetles, at least 4. I presume the beetles have come out of the flight holes recently, I agree it does seem quite late in the year. My understanding is the the beetles could back to lay eggs in flight holes, but prefer damp sapwood and not dry wood such as my shelves.

I think the wood was probably infected years ago and they are now only emerging, albeit late in the year.

J_B

maybe_tomorrow wrote: »

Thanks. Bought the wood about 10 months ago from a well known DIY store.

Shouldn't 'well known diy stores' be selling treated wood???

Norman_Castle

Treat the shelves and monitor for new holes.

I've used Rentokill woodworm fluid successfully.

JP08

Chances are you have to do absolutely nothing unless you live in a damp cold house ...

http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/woodworm/woodworm.htm