Should I Buy a House with Woodworm?

You’ve found the perfect property to purchase, but there’s a catch…it has woodworm!  Should you continue?

It is generally advisable to avoid buying houses that have been affected by woodworm infestations – especially if you are not experienced in dealing with such problems.

Woodworm can be a sign of structural problems such as dampness or poor drainage, problems that could end up costing a lot more to address than you might have budgeted for.

If treated correctly, woodworm can be eliminated from the property without causing any damage or discomfort, but if they’ve been left untreated for a long period of time you might find the woodworm infestation has caused structural damage to wooden parts of the property (like floors or walls). 

What is woodworm?

Woodworm is a term used to describe the larvae of various species of woodboring beetles.

The most common type of beetle found in UK homes is the Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium punctatum). These small insects lay their eggs inside cracks and crevices in timber, and when the eggs hatch, the resulting larvae start to bore into the wood.

As they mature, they eventually turn into adult beetles which emerge from holes in infested timbers to mate and start the cycle again.

Left unchecked, woodworm can cause serious damage to properties as the tunnels excavated by larval activity weaken structural timbers supporting floors and roofs. In extreme cases, this damage can lead to collapse – particularly if conditions are right for moisture build-up within affected areas.

If you’re noticing signs of woodworm activity, for example a lot of exit holes in wooden structures, it’s important to get the treatment started as soon as possible to prevent the active infestation causing further damage.

What are the signs of woodworm?

Telltale signs that indicate an active Woodworm problem include; fresh exit holes where adult beetles have recently emerged; dust around these holes known as ‘frass’; very young or recent emergence holes which are bright red/orange due to staining by rust fungi often associated with beetle attack.

If you’re noticing any of the following signs in your home, it might be time to get professional help to treat woodworm:

Structural damage: This includes black spots on walls or ceilings where there was once beautiful paintwork or wallpaper. Woodworm loves to eat through layers of paint, so this is an indication that they’re present and active in your home.

Dark patches on walls or ceilings: These are caused by worm droppings leaving behind a dark residue on surfaces they’ve invaded.

Fruiting bodies (seeds) in the wood: These look like small brown beans and can often be found near areas where water accumulates (like around pipes). This indicates that worms are reproducing quickly inside your home!

A sweet smell coming from the wood: This is due to moisture accumulation inside rotting logs which causes them to emit a musty scent.

What is the life cycle of woodworm?

The life cycle of woodworm includes three stages: egg, larva, and adult.  

Eggs are laid where there is food for the emerging larvae. The larvae grow into a small worm-like creature called a grub.

The grub eats wood until it’s ready to pupate (transform into an adult); this process can take between 2 and 5 years.

They will then move towards the surface and create a chamber, allowing it room to develop into an adult beetle.  Once grown they leave via the exit hole, which unfortunately means damage has already been done to your property.

How do you treat woodworm?

There are two main methods of treating woodworm problems:

1. Chemical Treatment

2. Biological Control

Chemical treatments use chemicals to kill the larvae and adults of woodworms. They work best when applied at the first sign of woodworm activity.

Biological control uses naturally occurring organisms such as parasitic nematodes, fungus gnats, lacewings, ladybirds, and predatory mites to reduce populations of woodworm.

You can also try using a combination of both chemical and biological controls together.

The best way to treat woodworm is to hire a professional exterminator who will know which method is best used to remove the problem from your property and what measures to put in place to prevent them from returning in the future.

Is treatment always necessary? If so, what does it involve?

Treatment may not be required if an assessment shows that there is no current risk posed by existing timber decay – although regular monitoring will still be needed.

Where treatment IS required, it usually involves spraying affected areas with a suitable insecticide formulation designed specifically for killing both adults and larvae alike.

Left unchecked, woodworm can cause serious damage to timber at your property which can lead to structural issues, for example with roof timers, and this damage can be very expensive to rectify.

What is the cost of woodworm treatment?

The cost of woodworm treatment can vary depending on the severity of the infestation. Generally speaking, woodworm treatment costs range from around £100 to £1,000 depending on the method used, the time taken and the size of the area requiring treatment.

Woodworm treatments are typically effective and relatively quick in resolving an infestation, but they may not be necessary in every case. If you’re unsure whether you need a treatment, it’s best to consult with a professional exterminator.

Final thoughts

As a property investor you want to get your investment rent ready ASAP, an unrented property means money going out, not coming in.

Taking on a house with an active infestation adds on costs you can do without.  You’ll need to have a woodworm survey done, you’ll need to hire a specialist to address the problem, and in the case of a severe infestation you’ll then have additional repair costs to cover.

You may also find mortgage lenders put a halt on the purchase, wanting the issue dealt with by the seller before they’ll agree to release the funds.

Unless the house price reflects the cost to put right the issues (i.e., it’s a really low price) my advice is to stay away from a property that has evidence of woodworm and focus your search on finding somewhere you can quickly turn into an income generating unit without worrying about damp issues or having to replace roof timbers.

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Sources

https://www.timberwise.co.uk/woodworm-treatment/the-life-cycle-of-woodworm/

https://householdquotes.co.uk/cost-of-treating-woodworm/