Woodworm and Chipboard

skysky69

Can woodworm occur in chipboard flooring?

Powerful_Pierre

There are many different types of woodworm. Some infest standing trees, some infest freshly felled trees and others infest seasoned timber. Then there are those that infest timber that has fungal decay present.

Infestation of chipboard is very rare indeed. I have only seen it once and the 'woodworm' in that case was Lyctus brunneus, often called powder post beetle which is a pest of hardwood. It is assumed that it survived the machining that produced the wood chips and the heat and pressure to make the board. Historic evidence of a previous infestation will be present in some of the wood particles used in the manufacture of chip board.

ukwoody

Yeah, I concur. The only time I have ever seen it in chip board, it was thought to be historic in some way and most certainly not alive.
The very way chipboard is made, and it's constituent parts make it highly unnatractive to boring beetle.(very very old chip board used to be made in a slightly different way, so it is theorectically possible you may find it there, but higly unlikely.

I'm concerned though why you ask? If you have had a woodworm infestation under an existing floor you still need to fully spray against it.

Woody

ormus

extremely rare. almost non existant. ive never seen a case.
the beetles can find easier targets. the floor joists will be much more liable to attack.
any composite material will be safer the normal wood. ie plywood is very rarely infested.