What does woodworm look like?

The most visible sign of woodworm is small round exit holes (1-2mm) in timber and fine powdery dust called frass. Adult beetles are small brown insects visible during the flight season (March to September), while larvae are creamy-white grubs living inside the wood.

How do I know if woodworm is active?

Active woodworm usually features fresh exit holes with clean, light-colored edges and fresh bore dust (frass) beneath them. Finding dead beetles near windows in spring or summer also suggests recent activity. A professional survey is recommended to confirm if treatment is necessary.

Does woodworm spread to other timber?

Yes. Adult beetles emerge to mate and lay eggs in other suitable timbers within the property. Infestations can spread from floorboards to joists, skirting boards, and roof timbers. Beetles can also fly, potentially spreading to neighboring properties.

When do woodworm beetles fly?

Common Furniture Beetles typically emerge and fly between March and September, with peak activity from May to July. This is when new eggs are laid, continuing the lifecycle.

Can I treat woodworm myself?

While DIY treatments exist for minor furniture issues, professional treatment is strongly recommended for structural timbers. Specialists use professional-grade insecticides that penetrate deeper and offer longer-lasting protection.

How much does woodworm treatment cost?

Costs depend on the extent of the infestation and the amount of timber requiring treatment or replacement. We provide detailed written quotations following a professional survey.

How can I prevent woodworm?

Controlling moisture is key, as beetles are attracted to damp timber. Ensure good ventilation, fix leaks promptly, and check antique furniture carefully before bringing it indoors. For new projects, use pre-treated timber where possible.

Woodworm Treatment Glasgow | Expert Surveys & Removal | Advanced Preservation Specialists

Glasgow's Trusted Woodworm Specialists

Professional Woodworm Treatment in Glasgow

If you've spotted signs of woodworm in your property, Advanced Preservation Specialists are the local woodworm specialists you can rely on. As Glasgow's longest-running PCA registered preservation company, we've been providing expert woodworm removal and timber preservation across Central Scotland for 25+ years.

We cover Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and Dunbartonshire, providing professional woodworm surveys and treatment backed by our comprehensive long term guarantee.

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Woodworm damage showing exit holes and tunnelling in a Glasgow property

Long-Term Guarantee

Understanding the Problem

What is Woodworm?

Woodworm is the common name for the larvae of wood-boring beetles. In Scotland, the most common culprit is the Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium punctatum), responsible for around 75% of woodworm damage in UK properties.

The beetle has a three-year lifecycle. Adult beetles lay eggs in cracks and crevices in timber. When the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow into the wood and spend up to three years tunnelling through it, feeding on the timber and growing. It's during this hidden larval stage that the real damage occurs.

Eventually, the larvae pupate near the surface and emerge as adult beetles, leaving the characteristic small round exit holes. The adults then mate and the cycle begins again – potentially spreading the infestation to other timbers in your property.

Because the damage happens inside the timber, an infestation can go unnoticed for years. By the time you spot exit holes, significant structural weakening may have already occurred. For a more detailed look at woodworm identification, see our in-depth guide to woodworm.

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Active Infestation Signs

How to Spot Woodworm

Woodworm often goes undetected until an infestation is well established. Knowing what to look for can help you catch problems early. Here are the tell-tale signs:

Small round exit holes (1-2mm diameter) in timber surfaces
Fine powdery dust (frass) beneath or around holes
Crumbly or weak edges on timber, especially floorboards
Tunnels visible in broken or damaged timber
Dead beetles near windows or on surfaces (March–September)
Damaged or weakened floorboards that feel springy
Holes with fresh, light-coloured edges (indicates active infestation)

Active or historic? Not all woodworm damage requires treatment. Old exit holes with dark edges may indicate a historic infestation that's no longer active. Our surveys distinguish between active infestations that need treatment and old damage that doesn't – so you only pay for what's actually needed.

Identifying woodworm exit holes and frass on Lanarkshire timber property

How We Treat Woodworm

Woodworm Treatment & Eradication

Once we've confirmed an active infestation, our woodworm treatment targets both the existing larvae and prevents future attacks.

The affected timber is treated with a professional-grade insecticide spray. This penetrates into the wood and creates a residual layer that remains active long after application. Any larvae tunnelling through the treated timber are killed, and any adult beetles attempting to lay eggs in the timber are also eliminated.

Where timber has been severely weakened by tunnelling, we'll cut back the damaged sections and splice in new pre-treated timber to restore structural integrity. For less severe damage, we may recommend timber hardeners and fillers after treatment.

All our woodworm treatments are backed by a comprehensive long term guarantee, giving you complete peace of mind that the problem is solved.

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Specialist woodworm treatment and beetle eradication in Renfrewshire

Understanding the Causes

What Causes Woodworm?

Woodworm beetles are attracted to specific conditions. Understanding what makes timber vulnerable can help prevent future infestations:

High moisture content – damp timber is far more attractive to beetles
Sapwood vs heartwood – beetles prefer the softer, nutrient-rich sapwood
Poor ventilation – particularly in roof spaces and sub-floor voids
Untreated timber – modern treated timber is less susceptible
Antique furniture – can harbour infestations that spread to structural timber
Adjacent infested properties – beetles can fly to neighbouring buildings

Scottish properties are particularly vulnerable due to our damp climate and the age of much of our housing stock. Many older Glasgow tenements and Victorian villas have roof timbers, floor joists and floorboards that have never been treated – making them prime targets.

Controlling moisture is key to prevention. Fix any leaks, improve ventilation, and address any damp issues promptly.

Damp timber conditions that attract woodworm beetles

How We Work

Our Woodworm Survey & Treatment Process

From survey to guarantee, we make the process straightforward

Survey and Identification

A PCA-qualified surveyor inspects your property to identify whether woodworm is present, confirm if the infestation is active, and assess the extent of any damage. We check roof timbers, floor joists, floorboards and any other accessible timber.

Detailed Report and Quote

You receive a clear written report explaining our findings, with photographs where relevant. If treatment is needed, we provide a detailed quotation. We only recommend treatment for active infestations – we won't charge you to treat old, inactive damage.

Professional Treatment

Our experienced technicians apply insecticide spray treatment to all affected and at-risk timbers. Where structural damage has occurred, we carry out timber repairs or replacement with pre-treated wood.

Guarantee and Aftercare

All work is backed by our comprehensive long term GPI-backed guarantee. We provide advice on preventing future infestations, including addressing any underlying moisture issues.

The APS Difference

Why Choose Us for Woodworm Treatment?

With 25+ years protecting Glasgow properties from timber pests, we deliver expert treatment with genuine personal service.

PCA Registered Since 2002

Industry-recognised qualifications and the highest professional standards.

Long-Term Guarantee

GPI-backed protection for complete peace of mind on all work.

Family-Run Business

Personal service from people who care – not just another job number.

25+ Years Experience

Glasgow's longest-running PCA registered preservation company.

Trusted by Major Clients

NHS Scotland, ScotRail and Network Rail trust us with their properties.

Local Expertise

We understand Scottish properties and the common issues they face.

Common Questions

Woodworm FAQs

The most visible sign of woodworm is small round exit holes in timber, typically 1-2mm in diameter – about the size of a pinhead. You may also notice fine powdery dust (called frass) beneath the holes. The adult beetles are small (3-5mm), brown, and you might spot them near windows during the flight season (March to September). The larvae themselves are creamy-white, curved grubs that live inside the timber – you'll only see them if you break open infested wood.

Fresh exit holes have clean, light-coloured edges and may have fresh frass (fine powder) beneath them. Old, inactive holes tend to be darker, dusty, and have no fresh frass. Finding dead beetles near windows during spring/summer suggests recent activity. However, it can be difficult to tell for certain – that's why we always recommend a professional survey to confirm whether treatment is actually needed.

Yes. When adult beetles emerge from timber, they mate and the females seek out suitable timber to lay eggs – which could be other timbers in the same property. An infestation in your floorboards can spread to joists, skirting boards, and roof timbers. Beetles can also fly, so infestations can potentially spread to neighbouring properties, though this is less common.

Adult Common Furniture Beetles typically emerge and fly between March and September, with peak activity in May to July. This is when you're most likely to spot the small brown beetles near windows or light sources. It's also when new eggs are laid, continuing the cycle. If you notice beetles during this period, it's worth getting a survey to check for active infestation.

DIY woodworm treatments are available for minor infestations in furniture or non-structural timber. However, for structural timbers like joists, floorboards and roof timbers, professional treatment is strongly recommended. We have access to professional-grade insecticides that penetrate deeper and last longer than retail products. We can also identify whether you actually have an active infestation – saving you money if treatment isn't needed.

Costs depend on the extent of the infestation and how much timber needs treating. A small area might cost a few hundred pounds, while treating an entire roof space or multiple floors will cost more. If timber replacement is needed due to structural damage, this adds to the cost. We provide detailed written quotations following our survey, so you know exactly what's needed before any work begins.

Woodworm beetles are attracted to damp timber, so controlling moisture is key. Fix any leaks promptly, ensure good ventilation in roof spaces and sub-floor voids, and address any damp problems. Check antique furniture carefully before bringing it into your home – it can harbour infestations that spread to structural timber. For new timber, use pre-treated wood where possible.