is this Wood Worm?

Hi all

I was in the attic getting down the Christmas tree.

I spotted these small piles of wood dust (?) on some of the rafters. I'm sure I would have spotted in previous years.

I brushed away some of the dust but no obvious hole beneath. Not unless its microscopic.

Looks to me to be woodworm or similar? if so how best treated?

Thanks

Apologies cant post photos.

Apologies, cant post links either.

But on preservation expert .co .uk website it looks like piles of dust left by Common Furniture Beatle?

Any experience of treating?

Avatar MIA

Maximiliano Drab Kiwi wrote: »

Apologies, cant post links either.

But on preservation expert .co .uk website it looks like piles of dust left by Common Furniture Beatle?

Any experience of treating?

Have you looked up? Has the "dust" drifted down from an wood worm infestation overhead?

looksee

If you have anything that looks like sawdust as you describe it, in the attic, you need professional advice and treatment asap.

Have you looked up? Has the "dust" drifted down from an wood worm infestation overhead?

Yes checked that, it doesn't appear to be drifting down as some of the rafters are angled upright.

Its only in a few places and I'm sure I would have spotted it last year. So hopefully its not too wide spread at the moment. But if its in one place, it could be all over soon enough.

On the middle of the circular dust pile, there was a microscopic hole in the middle of the dust pile itself. So thats what indicated to me it was a grub or worm.

Any rough ideas of cost of professional treatment? Maybe covered by house insurance?

Thanks folks.

(Good job I keep the Christmas tree in the attic).

I'll get Rentokil in on Monday. Cheers folks

Right2Write

Do not most of these problems occur more where moisture levels are higher? Is your attic fully dry? What age is the roofing?

Right2Write

Right2Write wrote: »

Do not most of these problems occur more where moisture levels are higher? Is your attic fully dry? What age is the roofing?

I wouldn't know enough to comment on moisture levels although that may have some bearing.

The assessment was that there had been activity for a good few years.

Although I did have a bathroom extractor fan that exits into the large attic about 5 years ago. Which goes on when the shower is in use.

And 2 years ago I put in too much insulation under the exits of the eaves and the moisture content in the attic space did increase as a result. Which I removed when spotting it, (was like that for a few months).

Otherwise, hitherto the attic, to my knowledge has been entirely dry. But for sure it may have had some bearing on recent activity.

The assessor said there has prob been activity for 10 years or so, maybe more. House built in mid 70's, timbers never treated.

red sean

So what did the assessor say is the next step?

red sean

red sean wrote: »

So what did the assessor say is the next step?

Get all woods treated. Which I've agreed to. Clear the attic space, remove all insulation etc. Let the lads at it. 3 days out of house.

I meant to ask them, but perhaps Red Sean ye might know in the meantime. I put the insulation in 2 years ago, I'm presuming that all has to be dumped and not re-used as it can bring eggs cases/bugs back in?

I read a sort of ambiguous article on the web that the insulation can be re-used? Seems dodgy to me?

red sean

That would sound dodgy to me too Chauncy. I understand the holes and dust are left by the exit of the full grown bug that has hatched and fed inside the wood. They then, I'm told by an old carpenter, lay their eggs in the softest part of the wood they can find and start the whole process again.
I bought stuff years ago to inject into the holes in a shed door and was told by this old-timer that it was a waste of time and money.
He reckoned I should be treating the endgrain and any damp spots instead.
I changed the door and burned the old one after, just in case he was right!

Sounds wise advice and thanks for that. I few folks have said "Do it yourself, save a fortune, etc". But I've only got one roof and don't want to have to replace it in 10 years time cos I wanted to save some beer vouchers. LOL!

red sean

Incredible how damaging and expensive a tiny bug can be.

red sean

red sean wrote: »

Incredible how damaging and expensive a tiny bug can be.

Isn't that the truth. I'm checking the garden tomorrow for Japanese knotweed just in case! hahaha!

tabby aspreme

First thing you need to sort out is the moisture content in the wood, wood worm can't survive if mc is under 18% , in a well ventilated attic mc should be 14-16 %, treating timber is a waste if the wood is damp, wood worm won't lay eggs in the insulation, google wood worm life cycle for information. Is the treatment brushed on or pumped into the wood?

Thanks for that. I'm really not sure. I've been putting my faith in the ability and reputation of Rentokil to assess the situation and treat and charge accordingly.

I probably should have been a bit more searching with my initial questions, and I'm not sure that the moisture content was checked. Maybe it was. But again I put my faith in their reputation to carry out required checks.

I'm just remembering there was also old damage to the chimney stack that I got repaired about 6 years ago. There probably had already been some water ingress when I bought the house 9 years ago. But it would not have been obvious (to me) at the time.

The attic has always appeared and felt dry to me, but now I'm beginning to question the bathroom air extractor that exits into the attic? And also the temporary blockage to the air flow when I put insulation too far up to the eaves, when moisture on the rafter was quickly obvious, but I removed the excess insulation and it dried out quick enough.

I'l give them a call tomorrow to ask details of their findings and likely causes and for further details of proposed treatment.

Cheers for now.

dathi

Maximiliano Drab Kiwi wrote: »

Thanks for that. I'm really not sure. I've been putting my faith in the ability and reputation of Rentokil to assess the situation and treat and charge accordingly.


, and I'm not sure that the moisture content was checked. Maybe it was. But again I put my faith in their reputation to carry out required checks.



The attic has always appeared and felt dry to me, but now I'm beginning to question the bathroom air extractor that exits into the attic? A


Cheers for now.

does the pipe on your bathroom fan finish inside your attic or travel through the attic to the outside? if it finishes inside the attic wood worm will be the least of your worries as the moisture will promote wet rot. the attic insulation can be reused as there will be no eggs in the insulation the adult beetle flies around august /sept and lays there eggs in cracks and crevices in the wood. the company is trying to sell you their spraying service so their advise is based on them trying to make a sale, so you should always seek independent advise .

Thanks dathi and all who offered advice. Very much appreciated.

I've arranged to get an independent structural engineering consultant into carry out an assessment.

Many thanks.