Common Furniture Beetle (Woodworm)
Key Features
Woodworm (Anobium punctatatum) are small brown insects, between 3 and 5mm in length, known to cause damage to wooden
structures. They fly readily in the summer months, often being found on window-sills in infested houses in May and June.
Visually, they appear to have a 'humped back' and characteristic club-shaped antennae.
Biology
Principally a pest of wood, causing damage by weakening the structure. The damage is caused by small white larvae - who
develop for 2 - 4 years , who chew their way through wood, creating tunnels as they feed.
Pupation occurs just below the surface of the wood, and emerging adults by biting an exit hole - causing the 'flight holes' typical
of woodworm infestation.
Distribution
Found in temperate areas around the world.
Significance
Long term infestation of timbers may lead to structural collapse.
Control
Small objects of furniture may be fumigated in a chamber, and will then require insecticidal treatment to avoid future infestation.
Larger scale treatments should be conducted by timber treatment specialists.
