Woodworm infestations can go unnoticed for years, causing significant damage to timber structures in homes across Newcastle, Sunderland, and Durham. Often, it’s only when a property survey is carried out that the full extent of the problem is revealed. Older properties are especially vulnerable to wood-boring beetle activity, commonly flagged by surveyors as “evidence of wood-boring beetles.”
The common furniture beetle (Anobium punctatum), native to the UK, is the main cause of woodworm infestations. These beetles lay eggs on dead timber, with pine being a common choice, but they can also target decaying wood in your home.
Woodworm activity can be difficult to detect, but key signs include:
Exit Holes – Small round holes in furniture or structural timber where adult beetles emerge.
Frass (Powder) – A gritty powder near holes, produced by feeding larvae.
Woodworm larvae tunnel through timber as they feed, gradually weakening beams, joists, and floorboards. While adult beetles cause no direct damage, their larvae can compromise the structural integrity of your property if left untreated.
If you’re in Newcastle, Sunderland, or Durham, don’t wait for damage to worsen — contact Pest Shield for expert woodworm control Newcastle.
Dust-Free Surfaces – Clean areas so the insecticide penetrates effectively.
Loft Spaces – Remove stored items and insulation to give full timber access.
Floorboards & Joists – Lift carpets, plasterboard, or coverings to expose infested timber.
Please note: our technicians are pest specialists, not builders. We can assist with limited coverings, but we aren’t responsible for any structural damage during preparation.
Ventilation – Open windows to ventilate treated areas until dry.
Avoid Contact – Keep people and pets away until surfaces are dry. Wash off insecticide if it contacts skin.
We apply a specialist timber treatment insecticide to all accessible timbers. This kills eggs and provides long-term protection, effective for years.
It’s important to note: larvae already deep inside wood may continue developing. Adult beetles or exit holes can still appear for up to 6 years after treatment, but risk of further infestation is drastically reduced.
Lifecycle – Larvae remain inside timber for up to 6 years, gradually damaging the wood.
Adult Beetles – Adults feed on pollen and lay eggs on timber surfaces.
Exit Holes & Frass – Signs of larvae emerging to pupate and become adults.
Woodworm infestations should never be ignored. At Pest Shield, we provide professional woodworm & furniture beetle treatments in Newcastle, Sunderland & Durham, protecting properties from long-term structural damage.
For fast, reliable, and safe pest control solutions. Call us on 0191 7166647 More services