The larvae of the woodworm beetle are commonly referred to as woodworms. The pests can cause significant damage to the wood. We'll tell you how to identify and fight woodworm.
In a nutshell
- Larva of the woodworm beetle known as woodworm
- affects furniture, musical instruments, panelling, wooden floors, beams and gables
- can cause massive damage to buildings
- prevention important
- use extreme temperatures, home remedies and acorns to combat them
Table of contents
- detect woodworm
- way of life
- detect woodworm infestation
- Prevent woodworm infestation
- Fight woodworm
- heat and drought
- cold
- Vinegar
- acorns
- frequently asked Questions
detect woodworm
The larva of the woodworm (Anobium punctatum), known as the woodworm, is rarely seen. What is more noticeable is the damage it causes to furniture, wooden utensils, musical instruments, wooden floors, beams and walls.
Source: CSIRO, CSIRO ScienceImage 1330 Anobium punctatum larva, Edited from Plantopedia, CC BY 3.0
| characteristics of the larva | Characteristics of the beetle |
|---|---|
| – 1 to 6 millimeters long – colored white to yellowish – curved inwards – powerful pincers |
– 2.5 to 5 millimeters long – colored dark brown - Eleven-limbed antennae – Head covered with pronotum - hairy body – Elytra with striped pattern |
A notice: The fully-grown beetle can fly and thus explore new egg-laying sites. He enters the building through open windows and doors.
way of life
Source: CSIRO, CSIRO ScienceImage 1056 Anobium punctatum beetles, Edited from Plantopedia, CC BY 3.0
The females of the common pine beetle lay about 20 to 30 eggs. They use small cracks or crevices in the wood to lay their eggs. After three weeks, the larvae hatch and burrow through the wood. They take four years to develop into dark brown beetles and leave the wood.
A notice: Woodworms prefer cooler, slightly damp areas. Because of this, uninhabited buildings such as sheds, basement, cellar and attics as well as churches are particularly frequently attacked by the pests.
detect woodworm infestation
Characteristic signs of a woodworm infestation are several one to two millimeter holes in the wood, from which wood flour spills out.
Prevent woodworm infestation
- Regular controll: Check wooden furniture, objects and instruments made of wood as well as beams and floorboards regularly for changes. The sooner you discover a woodworm infestation, the easier it is to drive the pest away.
- Do not leave living areas unheated: Woodworms do not tolerate heat or drought. Do not leave rooms with furniture and objects made of wood unheated for long. Woodworms do not thrive in rooms that you heat and use.
- Reduce moisture: Woodworm beetles love damp wood. Only wipe wooden floors with a damp cloth and avoid that moisture can collect on furniture feet.
- Close the window: Illuminated rooms magically attract insects. Turn off the light when you open the windows for airing in the evening.
- Using cedar oil: Maintain your wooden furniture regularly with cedar oil. The valuable oil makes furniture shine and repels wood pests.
Fight woodworm
There are a number of methods you can use to combat woodworm. You can tackle the pests with extreme temperatures or use classic home remedies such as vinegar.
A notice: In the case of a severe woodworm infestation, call in a pest controller.
heat and drought
Woodworms do not like high temperatures. Companies specializing in combating wood pests offer hot air treatment. Infested pieces of furniture, floors or wooden beams become free of woodworm at 55 to 60 degrees Celsius. Smaller items can be successfully treated in the oven at 55 degrees Celsius for about an hour. After the heat treatment, seal the woodworm holes with colorless wax.
Tip: Furniture infested with woodworm becomes pest-free if left in a warm and dry place for several weeks. They must not be wiped with a damp cloth during this time! If the drought persists, the larvae die.
cold
Woodworms also do not tolerate cold. If the temperature outside falls below minus ten degrees Celsius, you can put infested objects outside. Small items can be treated in the freezer. You should plan at least an hour for the treatment.
Vinegar
Vinegar is an effective home remedy for controlling wood pests. Using a fine syringe, apply vinegar essence to the visible woodworm holes. The larvae die off with this treatment.
acorns
With acorns you can lure woodworms out of the infested objects. Place the acorns near the holes. The wood pests love the fruit. If you notice holes in the acorns after a few days, the resettlement worked. Dispose of the acorns in the residual waste. Repeat the method several times until the laid out acorns don't get any more holes.
Tip: Woodworms can also be chased away with bass-heavy audio equipment. To do this, place the device directly on the infested piece of furniture and radiate it quietly for several hours.
frequently asked Questions
Place a sheet of paper under the area where there are holes. When the larvae of the woodworm beetle are active, you will notice a build-up of wood flour on the paper within a few days. Do the knock test. If the knocking on a piece of furniture sounds hollow, woodworm infestation is likely.
Woodworms prefer soft wood from coniferous trees such as pine, spruce and fir. The harder wood of oak and beech is less often the target of pests.
The cost of pest control depends on the type of treatment, the area and the severity of the infestation. About 30 euros per square meter. There are also material and travel costs.
Fumigation of a roof structure infested with woodworm can cost 2,000 to 3,000 euros. However, the damage that can result from non-treatment is much higher. Therefore, if necessary, call a pest controller in your area. He will ask for the details of the infestation over the phone or using a form to estimate the cost.
