Combat the woodworm with heat


Heat and dryness are two conditions that a woodworm does not like. From about 55 degrees Celsius, the protein-containing larvae degenerate and die. When combating with heat, it must be ensured that this temperature is reached at the core of a woodwork or piece of furniture and lasts long enough.

Physical killing without chemistry

A preferred way to remove the woodworm can be with heat. The purely mechanical procedure does not need any chemical auxiliaries and odor-evolving substances. In order to achieve a safe and reliable result, however, some rules must be followed.

Small infested items such as furniture can be completely heated in a sauna. In infestation in a roof truss, in the framework or in a staircase an external warming, for example by a hair dryer or a Baustrahler is not sufficient.

Basic rules of effectiveness

In order to ensure the destruction of all eggs, larvae and beetles in the wood, it must be heated consistently to at least 55 degrees Celsius. This temperature must last for one hour to reliably kill all stages of the pests.
As a standardized method, the hot air method is usually used in buildings today. Hot air is introduced into the roof truss or the rooms with trusses. An overpressure "carries" the hot air to the middle of the wood.

For partial control other heat generators can be used:

  • microwave
  • infrared Heaters
  • RF emitters

In any case, the impact on the wood and its structure should be considered. Too high temperatures can lead to burns of the wood.

High effort for the warm air process

Depending on the type of component and the type of building, it can be very tedious to "heal up" and hermetically seal off the places to be heated with mounted wood. The hot air process generates costs in a roof truss, starting from about 200 euros including housing.

Antique furniture restorers maintain a thermal chamber in which infested shelves, cabinets, chairs, tables and other furniture are thermally treated at a price of between twenty and one hundred euros, depending on their size.

Limitations of heating methods

In general, the woodworm can be combated with home remedies, which include heat generation. However, this biological control quickly reaches its limits when no professional device is available.

For smaller pieces of wood oven and sauna can be used to kill the eggs, larvae and beetles. For load-bearing components in buildings such as beams and stairs, high-performance equipment from specialist suppliers must be used.

Tips & Tricks

Furniture can also free you from the pests by cold. From minus 18 degrees the larvae and beetles die as well. Ask a butcher or butcher near you if you are allowed to use his refrigerated compartment to set up a well-packaged piece of furniture.

Product Image: tab62 / Shutterstock

Combat the woodworm with heat

FAQ - 💬

❓ Does WD40 kill woodworm?

👉 WD40 can also kill woodworm larvae. However, WD40 is not a long-term solution to woodworm infestation. It will only kill the beetles present at the time of treatment and will not prevent new eggs from being laid. In addition, WD40 is not effective against all types of woodworm.

❓ What is the best time of year to treat woodworm?

👉 When do woodworm hatch, do I have a time frame on when to treat? Typically starting between May & September which is the adult emergence season for Woodworm. The woodworm should be treated as soon as possible to avoid the beetle laying larvae and the lifecycle recurring.

❓ How do you get rid of woodworm yourself?

👉 If you are searching for a non-toxic woodworm treatment, this is your choice. Mix white vinegar with water in 1:1 proportion and spray it on the furniture. The acid will start irritating the larvae, and they will begin searching for a way out.

❓ What is the strongest woodworm treatment?

👉 Permagard Woodworm Killer is a ready-to-use high strength (0.249% insecticide) treatment designed to eradicate active woodworm. It is formulated to kill infestations of wood boring insects through all life stages in furniture, flooring, structural and other timbers.

❓ Can I use bleach to kill woodworm?

👉 One of the best ways of killing woodworms is with bleach. It's an effective way to destroy an infestation without harming the wood.

❓ Does steam kill woodworm?

👉 Steam can kill woodworm thanks to its heat. For this, you could use a garment steamer or similar appliance. But as mentioned, woodworm thrives in damp wood, so steam isn't necessarily the best option. If you're only treating a small area and can dry the wood out again after, steam should be absolutely fine.

❓ Can woodworm go away on its own?

👉 Woodworm (of which there are many forms from common furniture to the dreaded deathwatch beetle) eventually dies off when the wood dries and provided the building is appropriately maintained, there is no reason why any widespread infestation should recur.

❓ How do you stop woodworm from spreading?

👉 You can easily treat Common Furniture beetles with a brush, dip or spray application of a Permethrin-based woodworm treatment on all timbers affected by woodworm. As a precaution you should also treat any close by timbers to protect against future outbreaks.

❓ Can you ever get rid of woodworm?

👉 If your woodworm problem only affects small items such as furniture, you can effectively treat it yourself using the right techniques and treatments. You can easily treat Common Furniture beetles with a brush, dip or spray application of a Permethrin-based woodworm treatment on all timbers affected by woodworm.

❓ Does sunlight kill woodworm?

👉 Treating woodworm with heat Larger pieces can go in a sauna if you have one. For most people, however, direct sunlight is a fine alternative. During summer, cover your larger pieces in airtight, black foil, and let them roast. Be sure to use a thermometer, as temperatures can quickly rise above 50°C under foil.

❓ How can I tell if woodworm is still active?

👉 How to I know if the woodworm are active?

  1. Fresh dusting or frassing under or next to the holes;
  2. You can see light coloured wood in the holes, which have sharp edges;
  3. Edges of wooden beams and joists are breaking away to reveal fresh, light wood underneath.

👉 Guide to DIY Woodworm Treatment and Diagnosing Woodworm Infestation in Your Home Including how to get rid of Woodworm Permanently 1 Woodworm in Furniture and Other Timber. 2 Woodworm and Damp. 3 Normal Treatment. 4 Preparing the Boron Solution for Treating Woodworm. 5 Heavy Infestations. 6 ... (more items)

👉 We would recommend that for DIY purposes the best woodworm killer and timber treatment to use is Boron Ultra 12 because it is a water-based product that only kills wood boring insects, does not give off unpleasant fumes or smells and quickly soaks into the timber. This is available online from Property Repair Systems on the link above.

👉 Woodworm – not actually worms at all, by the way – are the wood-eating larvae of lots of different species of beetle - usually the Common Furniture Beetle (niche name). These larvae bore small round holes in furniture, beams and flooring as they exit the timber, leaving behind a powdery residue.

👉 Isolate all infested wooden items in a small room or a closet and heat the furniture up to 50 ° -60 ° C. You can use electric heater, electric radiator, convection heater, and any other appliance you own. Leave the items heated for at least two hours, for complete eradication of the larvae and adult beetles.


Video Board: Why you never need to treat woodworm with chemicals