Woodworm Treatment Specialists
Not every hole in your timber needs treating. We identify the beetle, confirm whether the infestation is actually active, and treat only where it is needed, fixing any damp behind it so it does not come back. All backed by a written guarantee.
Book a Woodworm Survey
0300 373 7251Survey-led diagnosis with a clear, written report. No obligation.
What is Woodworm?
Woodworm is not a single insect, and it is not a worm. It is the larval stage of various wood-boring beetles, and it is those larvae, hidden inside the timber and feeding for years, that cause the damage long before anything shows on the surface.
By far the most common in UK homes is the Common Furniture Beetle, responsible for the large majority of woodworm damage. Despite the name, it is just as happy in structural timber, joists, floorboards and roof timbers, as it is in furniture. The tell-tale round holes you eventually spot are exit holes, left as the adult beetles chew their way out to breed and start the cycle again.
Because the damage is internal and the signs are easily misread, the first job is always to establish what species is present and whether it is still active, which we do with a timber and damp survey.
Signs of Woodworm
Woodworm hides in floors, joists, roof timbers and furniture. These are the signs worth a closer look.
Round Exit Holes
Small, round flight holes in the timber surface, typically 1mm to 2mm across for the Common Furniture Beetle, where adult beetles have emerged.
Powdery Frass
Fine, gritty wood dust, called frass, around or below the holes. Fresh, clean frass is one of the clearest signs of an active infestation.
Tunnels in the Timber
Networks of tunnels bored through the wood, usually unseen, which gradually hollow out and weaken the timber from the inside.
Weak, Crumbling Wood
Timber and floorboard or skirting edges that crumble easily, a sign the larvae have been at work for some time.
Dead Beetles
Small beetles, dead or alive, found near affected timber or on windowsills, as emerging adults head towards the light.
Beetles in Summer
Adult beetles emerging during the warmer months, roughly spring to early autumn, the woodworm season when activity is highest.
Active or Historic?
This is the question that matters most, and the one most often got wrong. Finding holes does not mean you have a live problem. Plenty of timber carries old holes from an infestation that died out years or decades ago and needs no treatment at all.
Active woodworm shows clean, sharp, pale holes, fresh frass, and beetles emerging in season. Historic damage shows darker, dusty holes and no fresh frass. We check carefully before recommending anything, because the honest answer is sometimes that no treatment is needed. Different species matter too: the Deathwatch Beetle favours damp old hardwood such as oak, the House Longhorn attacks softwood roof timbers, and the wood-boring weevil is tied to already damp, decayed wood.
Our approach: we will not sell you woodworm treatment for holes left by an infestation that is no longer active.
Woodworm and Damp
Woodworm and damp go hand in hand. Beetles prefer damp, softer timber, so an infestation often points to a moisture problem nearby. Common factors include:
How We Treat Woodworm
Survey and identify
We identify the beetle species, confirm whether the infestation is active or historic, check how much timber is affected and look for any damp feeding the problem.
Treat active infestations
Where treatment is needed, a water based insecticide is applied to the affected and surrounding timber, with a penetrating gel or injection for deeper infestations.
Replace weakened timber
Any timber that has lost its strength, particularly structural joists, beams or floorboards, is cut out and replaced with sound, pre-treated wood.
Fix the damp
Because damp invites woodworm, we address any moisture and ventilation problem so the conditions that allowed the beetles do not return.
Written guarantee
Completed treatment is backed by a written 10 year guarantee, transferable on sale and accepted by solicitors and lenders.
Why It Pays to Check Early
Whether the answer is treatment or simply reassurance that it is historic, an early survey protects both your property and your wallet.
What Our Customers Say
Genuine reviews from Advanced Damp customers.
"The whole episode was straightforward, from the surveyor, Lionel's visit to the work being completed by Brandon, who was prompt, polite and worked with as little disruption as he could, leaving the space reasonably clean and tidy."
"Lionel was professional, polite and explained the process clearly and concisely. First class service. Would highly recommend."
"A very friendly, professional and helpful team. My survey was booked in quickly, it was very thorough and the results were explained clearly. Very satisfied. Highly recommend."
Related Timber & Damp Services
Woodworm is usually a sign of damp timber, so it often sits alongside these related services:
Woodworm FAQs
What is woodworm?
How do I know if woodworm is active?
Is woodworm serious?
What causes woodworm?
How do you treat woodworm?
Can I treat woodworm myself?
Spotted Holes in Your Timber?
Book a survey and find out whether your woodworm is active and worth treating, or simply old, historic damage. Either way, you get a clear, written answer with no scare tactics.
Last updated June 2026 · Advanced Damp Ltd · Woodworm treatment nationwide · 0300 373 7251