Wood-boring insect treatment: when it's needed and what it includes

Detecting woodworm or termites in time can be the difference between a localised treatment and having to replace compromised timber structure entirely.

Signs to recognise

Small round holes with fine sawdust nearby (woodworm) or mud tunnels on vertical surfaces and wood that sounds hollow when tapped (subterranean termite) are the most usual signs. Woodworm usually affects individual pieces, while termites can spread by continuity between timber elements in contact or nearby.

What a correct treatment includes

A serious treatment includes inspection to define the extent of the attack, injection of insecticide/fungicide into the affected wood (sometimes with specific drilling to reach the inside of the piece), and in the case of subterranean termites, a chemical or physical barrier in the surrounding ground, not just in the visible wood.

When to replace instead of treat

If the attack has significantly reduced the structural section of a beam or load-bearing element, treating isn't enough: the piece must be reinforced or replaced, always assessed by a technician. Quoting only the surface treatment on a structurally compromised piece gives the client a false sense of security.

Need to quote the treatment or replacement of joinery affected by wood-boring insects? Do it in PresupuestoYa.