Furniture/Wood Beetle's...HELP!!

[ginger ninger]

I've just discovered I've got wood worm or have had wood worm, not me personally but my wood joists in the extension, I found some little beetle's about 2 year's ago and didn't think too much about them at the time, but today while fitting a new floor in the bathroom I came across lots of little holes (2mm round) in my joists, I've given the wood a good whacking with mi hammer with paper under it to see if anything feel out, nothing did, so my question's are...are they still active, how can You tell if they are, how do I get rid of the bladdy things if they are without having the whole house fumigated (we're a listed building), and would my insurance company pick the bill up?????

Meanwhile bugs have stopped play, so to speak . Any suggestions would be welcome,Thanks In Advance.

What a flipping start to this year GRRRRRRRR.

[Two_Sheds]

Does this help? woodworm and how to treat it

[Two_Sheds]

I moved into a rented house years ago, landlady was a bit of a mare. Anyway, I'd just unpacked everything when she phoned to say I'd have to move out again, because her insurance/mortgage company was making her fumigate the house.

She knew there was woodworm, but as she wasn't living there, thought she'd leave it.

I was furious, esp. as she then complained when I presented her with the hotel bill.

Good luck!

[vicky]

We have evidence of woodworm too. We have decided to paint the wood then wait and see if more holes appear.

[ginger ninger]

I've just had a very nice man out to look at my joists and he said yes it was wood worm and NO its not still active...boy am I relieved, he was a friend of my OH's Dad so a cup of coffee and some date and walnut cake was all he wanted in payment (I gave him all the cake to take home..Bless him), as I said he was a very nice man, so now I can finish putting my floor down and OH can fit the bathroom tomorrow, I've had enough today. Thanks TS the info was great and very helpful, they were definitely the little blighters I had.

[Hilary B]

We have evidence of woodworm too. We have decided to paint the wood then wait and see if more holes appear.

Paint won't stop them getting out!
Woodworm live inside the wood, they are the 'caterpillars' of a small beetle, and you only find out they are there when they are ready to hatch into beetles and fly. If the timber is thoroughly dry they can't actually do much (especially in an old building with large pieces of wood) but if it is likely to get damp due to a leak or condensation (condensation happens when the air can't get to the wood), best to apply a precautionary coat of suitable chemical (ask at the buildre's merchant for something that tackles woodworm).
If you get larger, oval holes in oak beams, it may be DWB, which remains dormant for a LONG time, potentially longer than the treatment would remain viable, but the same applies about dry, ventilated timber being resistant.
Much rarer, in the softer parts of hardwood (eg oak) is powderpost beetle.