Several beetles can leave emergence holes in timber. Old holes do not necessarily mean an active infestation.
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Identification, signs & where to look
What it looks like
“Woodworm” describes the larval damage of wood-boring beetles, most commonly the common furniture beetle, Anobium punctatum, in UK buildings. Round exit holes alone do not prove that an infestation is still active.
Evidence to check
- Small emergence holes
- Fresh frass around holes
- Adult beetles seasonally
- Timber damage in susceptible areas
Common locations
- Floorboards, roof timbers and structural softwood
- Older furniture and stored timber
- Damp or poorly ventilated timber where conditions favour some species
Lifecycle, lookalikes & why it appears
Lifecycle and seasonality
Common furniture beetle larvae develop inside timber for years before adults emerge, often leaving round exit holes and fresh bore dust. Emergence is seasonal, commonly in warmer months.
What can look similar?
- Historic inactive exit holes
- Other wood-boring beetles that require different assessment
- Mechanical holes or damage not caused by insects
Why it appears
Species, timber type and moisture conditions all matter. Persistent damp can make timber more suitable for attack.
What you can do now
- Look for fresh, pale bore dust and clean-edged new exit holes rather than old dark holes alone
- Check timber moisture and ventilation
- Have structural or extensive damage assessed before choosing treatment
Do not assume every old hole needs insecticide. Do not coat structural timber with a treatment until activity and species have been assessed.
When professional help makes sense
Use a competent timber/pest specialist when structural timber may be affected, active infestation is uncertain or the insect species is not clear.
What treatment normally involves
Proper treatment starts with confirming active infestation and the species, then correcting moisture problems and treating only where justified. Some historic evidence requires no insecticidal treatment.
Useful products for wood-boring insects prevention & monitoring
If the problem is correctly identified and DIY is appropriate, these are the product categories most likely to help you inspect, monitor, proof or protect.
Wood Moisture Meter
Useful for checking conditions, evidence and hard-to-see areas before deciding what to do next.
Inspection Torch
Useful for checking conditions, evidence and hard-to-see areas before deciding what to do next.
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Prices and availability are shown by Amazon after you click. Follow product instructions and use only products appropriate to the identified problem.
Risks & damage
- Loss of timber surface and, in severe long-term cases, structural weakening
- Unnecessary chemical treatment if old holes are mistaken for active infestation
What affects the quote?
Survey and treatment cost depends on the amount and accessibility of timber, whether activity is current, and whether repair or moisture work is needed.
Read the cost guide →Frequently asked questions
Do old holes mean live woodworm?
No. Exit holes can remain for decades. Fresh bore dust, new clean-edged holes and current adult activity are more useful evidence.
Is damp relevant?
Yes. Timber moisture strongly influences susceptibility to several wood-boring beetles and should be assessed alongside insect evidence.
Use evidence before choosing treatment.
If the signs do not match cleanly, use the visual Pest Finder or get professional identification rather than treating a guess.
Find wood-boring insect treatment
Use professional help when the infestation is established, identification is uncertain, safety is a concern or the problem keeps returning. PestDeck keeps this route separate from the editorial answer.