Pest Problems
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Pest Problems
What You Need to Know About Woodworm Treatment Cost
- Published: Nov 18/2022
- Last update: May 26/2023
- 7min read
- Views: 282
A woodworm infestation starts out small but can get complicated and time-consuming as different insect breeds require different treatment methods. That’s why it’s important to know as much as possible on the subject.
So if you:
- Have been infested by woodworms.
- Have already tried some DIY methods with no significant results.
- Want to become familiar with woodworm treatment costs.
Then read along. This guide will provide you with information on woodworm treatment prices, different pest removal methods and lots of additional information.
How do you know you have a woodworm infestation?
Believe it or not, woodworms are seasonal pests. They emerge and start to look for mates between March and April, provided that the climate is warm. If it is and remains that way, a woodworm infestation is almost inevitable.
When the woodworms start their life cycle, they infest all kinds of wooden structures such as furniture, floorboards, roof timbers, joists and beams, decorative woodwork, painted wooden surfaces and even wooden tools.
Fair enough, but “how do you get woodworms in your house” you might be wondering. The wood-eaters love soft, damp timber which becomes so due to excess moisture. Rooms with poor ventilation, such as basements, lofts or roofs, have the softest wood, so that’s where infestations spring up the most.
Since the larvae feed inside the timber for a long period, it’s not always easy or even possible to know if you have an active woodworm infestation. The sure signs you need to look out for are:
- Exit holes – small round holes in the timber. You have probably seen these in old furniture.
- Tunnel marks – left from the pests’ boring activity.
- Droppings – also called frass, in the form of powdery dust left outside the wood structures.
- Actual wood-boring insects – you might find dead woodworms on window stills or even actual live ones as they emerge from their holes.
- Crumbling wood – if infested, you’re likely to see corners and edges of floorboards or furniture crumbling and chipping away.
Can you treat woodworms yourself?
The internet contains DIY methods for removing woodworms, such as white vinegar and whatnot. These might work in some cases, but this type of pest is elusive and hard to eliminate. Also, keep in mind that using chemical agents on your own can be risky because using too much of the product could damage the surface you’re treating.
Still, if you want to know more about different insecticides and how they are applied, you can check our How to get rid of woodworms naturally guide for details.
Professional woodworm exterminators, on the other hand, will carry out a proper survey of your home. Knowing what kind of wood-boring insect you are dealing with and how large the infestation is, is of crucial importance. When the survey is complete, they will present you with a report of the treatment methods they plan to use, how long it will take and how much it will cost. In the end, with professional treatment, all you lose is the infestation.
How much does it cost to treat woodworms in UK?
You might be wondering “is woodworm treatment expensive”. While it certainly isn’t cheap, it’s well worth it.
Same as with the cost of other pest treatments, the price can vary depending on the property. The average cost of woodworm treatment can range between £450 and £1000. That excludes the survey, mind you, which can cost around £150 to £200. The costs of woodworm treatment in lofts and roofs are also something many people want to know, as those areas are often infested.
So, the prices for different woodworm treatments look something like this.
| Treatment type | Average cost |
| Fumigation treatment | £500-£1,000 |
| Fogging treatment | £500-£1,000 |
| Loft treatment | £400 – £900 |
| Roof treatment | £400 – £900 |
You will notice a stark difference between the minimum and maximum prices for each treatment, that’s because they’re always calculated based on the following factors:
- Size of your home – larger rooms have more stuff and furniture, so more hiding places for the wood-boring pests. This will require extra effort, materials and time.
- Age of your home – older homes are prone to have more damp issues and some have even sustained leaks. You already know woodworms love dampness because it makes the wood softer, so the older the home, the bigger the chance of infestation.
- Scale of infestation – there will be a significant difference in the cost if you treat one room, compared to several. The more rooms infested, the more materials and time the treatment will require, hence the price will go up.
If the costs in the table overwhelm you, check our woodworm treatment prices. Fantastic Club members get price reductions as well as extra perks, so it’s worth checking it out.
How long does woodworm treatment last?
The survey alone can take around two to four hours. After all, it includes checking roofs, lofts, basements as well as all wooden floors. The woodworm treatment, on the other hand, can take between one and three days, depending on your property size and extermination method.
Different methods are not only priced differently but serve different purposes, that’s why the best woodworm treatment is the one picked in accordance with your infestation.
So, what are the different treatments?
Insecticides’ application
- Duration: 2 to 3 hours.
- What is it? – Woodworm treatment via applying a thin layer of insecticide.
- When is it used? – Light infestations sometimes on a single piece of furniture.
- How is it done? – The exterminator will clean the infested piece of furniture of all dust. Afterwards, they will apply the insecticide either via spray or brush. The timber will absorb the product, which will not only result in dead woodworms, but the furniture will also obtain a coating against re-infestation. The product has no odour and will become touch-dry in about an hour.
Heat treatment
- Duration: Several hours.
- What is it? – Eradication of pests via high temperatures.
- When is it used? – When you have items or family members, who are more sensitive to chemicals (newborns, old parents).
- How is it done? – You and your family leave the property, after which the exterminator will seal off the infested area. Then they use a special device that will bring up the temperatures up to 55°C. That’s high enough to kill the pests but not enough to damage the wood surfaces. The exterminator will keep the temperature like this for several hours, so it penetrates every nook and cranny. When it’s over, you can return safely to your home.
Fumigation
- Duration: Several days until every last wood-boring bug is dead.
- What is it? – Spraying of gaseous chemicals (fumigants).
- When is it used? – Extensive infestations, difficult to locate or access for targeted treatment.
- How is it done? – Fumigants are very harmful to living organisms, so neither you nor your pets must be at the property whilst it’s being treated. The exterminator will seal off the infested area, after which, they will release the gaseous chemical. The fumes will eradicate all visible and hidden wood-boring pests. Finally, the exterminator will ventilate the space, so you and your family can return safely. This might take one day, or several, so keep that in mind.
Fogging
- Duration: 2-3 hours.
- What is it? – Spraying of fogging solution.
- When is it used? – Light infestations and when you can’t leave your home for more than several hours.
- How is it done? – As with the other woodworm treatment methods, here you also need to leave your property. Afterwards, the exterminator will spread a fogging solution containing hydrogen peroxide and silver ions. The fog will seep into the timber and kill off all the wood-boring pests. This method is less severe than fumigation, and you don’t need to wait almost an entire week to return to your home.
Find a trustworthy woodworm exterminator near you
If you feel overwhelmed by the pesky pests, consider booking professional woodworm treatment. We at Fantastic Services work with fully equipped and certified pest controllers. They will perform an inspection and decide on the best woodworm treatment method.
When the service is completed, they will give you a written report and advice on how to avoid future woodworm infestations. Our guaranteed service also includes two follow-up visits scheduled in advance.
Woodworms reduce the structural strength of your wood structures.
Don’t wait, book your woodworm removal today!
Frequently asked questions about woodworm treatment:
If you still have some questions, check below to for a potential answer.
How long does a woodworm infestation last?
On average, unless treated, a woodworm infestation will last between 2 and 5 years.
Can woodworms live in loft insulation?
No, woodworms will not harm your loft insulation, but they will earth through all the wooden structures surrounding it.
Can furniture with woodworms be saved?
Yes, but unless you’re are a restoration specialist, you’d have to give it to one. These specialists know how to reinforce the structural integrity of old weakened wood and have the proper tools for the job.
When is the best time of year to treat a woodworm infestation?
Generally, you should attack the woodworms the moment you spot them. You are most likely to see them between April and September because that’s when they’re most active. When you attack the emerging adults you lower the chance of them mating and laying eggs.
Can woodworms come back?
If the treatment hasn’t been successful, then yes. If the pest exterminator has forgotten to focus on internal timber and several pests have been hidden inside, they will re-emerge and re-infest.
Image source: Tomasz Klejdysz / Shutterstock.com
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