Wood burner /woodworm

[Lesley Jones]

So many Woodburner questions lately, you will have to start another section!

Is it possible to bring woodworm into the house in firewood? We only burn seasoned logs and usually keep a full basket in the house at all times with the remainder kept in a store in the garden. Over the last few months I have noticed the odd small hole in our varnished woodblock floor. Now, the floor is very old and 'characterful' with various of marks from its previous life as a school hall. I do not know if these holes have always been there and I am now being a bit paranoid or if in fact they have appeared without me noticing until now. I have kept an eye on them since I first noticed them and they do not appear to be spreading. The floor was not laid by us but we have lived here with it for several years.

Thanks for your help.

 

[JohnD]

Is it possible to bring woodworm into the house in firewood?

yes.


also snails, slugs, woodlice, spiders etc.

 

[Burnerman]

Please don't bring ANYTHING into your house that you remotely suspect could be infested by our old enemy, the furniture beetle...and that includes any old or antique furniture that you may have doubts about. They aren't usually active at this time of year, but you may like to check out your floor for any new wood type dust that may appear in the future.

 

[regsmyth]

surely these beetles or their flying phase could easily get into our interior timber, but it's too dry?
I always thought that dry, well ventilated timber is safe from attack by woodworm. It's only when you have furniture sat in a damp/unventilated corner, or floorboards that have damp earth under them, or joists set into damp wall etc that are likely to be attacked.
As you say Burnerman, it's the old furniture that gets attacked. Why don't they eat our joists or doors or skirtings?

 

[Symptoms]

Reg wrote: "Why don't they eat our joists or doors or skirtings?"

They do - most timbers are at risk.

 

[regsmyth]

Only when they reach a critical, susceptible state (eg 20% moisture content or higher).
Normal internal, dry, warm, well ventilated and exposed timber has a moisture content of around 10% and isn't attacked.
At least, that's my understanding.