Woodworm beetles are most commonly around 2.7-4.5mm long, so are fairly small in size. However, they can sometimes be slightly bigger depending on the type of woodworm.

There are various different types of woodworm that can appear within the home, all of which thrive in various conditions. Woodworm beetles are attracted to both hard and soft wood timbers, leaving behind detrimental structural damage to your timbers if left untreated.

Depending on the extent of woodworm damage and the type of beetle, Prokil can provide bespoke woodworm treatment solutions to ensure they are fully eradicated and timbers remain structurally strong.

What types of woodworm are there and what do they look like?

We can identify many types of woodworm which vary in both size and other characteristics. Here are a few of the main woodworm insects to look out for:

Common furniture beetle (Anobium punctatum)

As the name suggests, the common furniture beetle is the most common woodworm insect that causes damage within homes. It is approximately 2.7-4.5mm in length, with a brown body.

• Particularly attracted to soft woods that suffer from damp.
• The common furniture beetle leaves behind round holes approximately 1.5-2mm in diameter. The holes and piles dust left behind are the tell-tale sign that you are suffering from woodworm damage or an infestation.
• Their tunnels are short; a pin cannot pass right through it. They are also filled with dust, with lemon-shaped dust pellets left behind (visible with a magnifying glass).
• Common furniture beetle dust feels gritty to touch.

Ambrosia beetles (pinhole borers)

Ambrosia beetles, also called pinhole borers, are woodworm found in both hard and soft woods in both European and tropical climates.

• Holes are similar to that of common furniture beetles, mainly being round. They are also often stained black, which is easier to spot on light-coloured wood.
• Adult woodworm beetles are wood-boring, however the larvae are not.
• A pin will travel down the full length of the hole, as opposed to common furniture beetles that can only be breached part of the way.
• Unlike many other types of woodworm, Ambrosia beetle tunnels are completely free of dust.

Death watch beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum)

The death watch beetle is around 7mm in length, although their larvae can be up to 11mm.

• Death watch woodworm insects are predominantly attracted to hardwood that has started to decay.
• They leave holes approximately 3mm in diameter, with extensive deep tunnelling.
• The dust and ‘bun’ shaped dust pellets are very visible to the naked eye. If you shake the timbers, this is when most of the dust will emerge.

For more information about how big woodworm beetles are and other methods of spotting them in your home, get in touch with our friendly team at Prokil. We provide effective and long-lasting treatments for woodworm damage, no matter how severe. Call us on 0800 048 9488 and arrange a survey today.

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Source:

• Identify Woodworm Beetles
• The Concise Guide to the Identification of Insect Attack and Fungal Decay of Timber