• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The DIY Doctor's Blog

Main navigation

      • All Projects
      • Brick, Block, Masonry and Concrete
      • Damp, Condensation, Rot and Woodworm
      • Doors, Windows and Conservatories
      • Electrical
      • Fencing, Decking, Paving and Patios
      • Floors, Walls, Ceilings and Lofts
      • Garages, Sheds and Outbuildings
      • Gardening and Landscaping
      • General Building, Self Build and Renovation
      • General Repairs and Cleaning
      • Green Living and Eco DIY
      • Ground, Foundations and Drainage
      • Heating, Central Heating and Boilers
      • Joinery and Carpentry
      • Materials, Fixings and Fixing
      • Painting, Decorating and Finishing
      • Planning Regs, Project Management and Safety
      • Plastering, Plasterboard and Rendering
      • Plumbing
      • Roofing and Gutters
      • Tiling and Tiles
      • Tools, Appliances and Access
      • DIY Tips
      • Bathroom DIY Videos
      • Decorating Videos
      • Green and Eco Friendly Videos
      • Kitchen Videos
      • Building Foundation Videos
      • Electrical Videos
      • Hand and Power Tools Videos
      • Plumbing Videos
      • Building Videos
      • Fitting Blinds Videos
      • Heating and Central Heating Videos
      • Security Videos
      • Carpentry and Woodworking Videos
      • Flooring Videos
      • Kitchen Videos
      • Damp and Damp Proofing Videos
      • Gardening Videos
      • Plastering and Drylining Videos
      • Find a Tradesman
      • Contract Download
      • Working With Tradesmen - Ultimate Guide
      • Home Improver Protection
      • Price Doctor
      • Tool Store
      • Book Store
      • Tool Reviews and Product Reviews
      • Blog
      • DIY Competitions
      • About DIY Doctor
      • What we do
      • Trade Shows and Exhibitions
      • Master Classes
      • Contact Us

Home > Blog > Can you Tell Death Watch From Woodworm?

Can you Tell Death Watch From Woodworm?

Posted on March 4, 2014 by DIY Doctor

Woodworm or Beetle?

Well of course woodworm is really a beetle – although it does quite a lot of its damage in its larva state, which is when it looks most like a ‘worm’ hence its common name.

Find out how to detect and diagnose wood-boring pests in your home with our new project about woodworm.

Diagram of the Life Cycle of a Woodworm or Furniture Beetle
Life Cycle of a Woodworm or Furniture Beetle

If you notice holes in your furniture, floorboards or rafters you might be really concerned that they are doing structural damage to your house or furnishings. It isn’t likely to undermine the structure of your home unless it is left for a very long time, but it might be a sign that all is not well with your timbers, and shouldn’t go unchecked or untreated.

If you have noticed that you have a woodworm or other infestation, then it may be an indication that there is rot in the wood. Rotten wood is softer and so is a more habitable environment for insects. As the wood gets damp the grain swells and allows insects to easily burrow into the structure of the wood to lay their eggs.

When the eggs hatch the larvae spend time inside the timbers while they mature, and their burrowing can cause structural weakness over time. Especially as by opening up the surface of the wood allows mould spores to more easily take hold. See the image above which shows the lifecycle of the beetles and how long they take to go through each phase.

You can treat both damp and insects with a boron mix which is relatively safe and pleasant to use, meaning that you could tackle the job yourself quite easily. We teach you how to go about treating timbers for damp and woodworm in the main project. However if clambering about in roof spaces isn’t for you then you can always find an experienced, reliable woodworm specialist – find out how to employ good workmen on our main site.


Signup for the DIY Doctor Newsletter

<< Next Post

World Book Day versus the DIY World – Our Top 10 DIY Books in the World
World Book Day versus the DIY World – Our Top 10 DIY Books in the World

Previous Post >>

Electric Radiators Can Save You Money
Electric Radiators Can Save You Money

Primary Sidebar

DIY Doctor deal of the week

Blue Groove Set:

Auger and flat bit 8 piece set

RRP Price: £68.04

Special Price: £29.15

Get it here now

See our other deals now!

Advertisments

Signup for our Newsletter

Keep up to date with our DIY projects, tips and latest deals

Sign Me Up!

Follow DIY Doctor

Follow DIY Doctor on Facebook
Follow DIY Doctor on Twitter
Follow DIY Doctor on YouTube
Follow DIY Doctor on Pinterest
Follow DIY Doctor on Tumblr

Blog Categories

Footer

DIY Doctor

Site Menu

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Media/Press
  • Community Work
  • DIY Projects
  • DIY Videos
  • Superstore
  • DIY Tips
  • DIY Suppliers
  • UK DIY Forum
  • DIY Webinars

Other Stuff

  • Advertise
  • Competitions
  • T and C’s
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies
  • NHIC
  • Sitemap

DIY Doctor Social Channels

Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on YouTube
Follow us on Pinterest
Follow us on Tumblr

DIY Doctor are members of:

© DIY Doctor Ltd 2022 All Rights Reserved