Woodworm?

[Coredefence]

I have been given a large lot of old ash and oak boards which were kept in the rafters of a stable block. The ash is clean but some of the oak boards have signs of (old?) woodworm infestation (8 or 9 holes in 8') but I have no way of knowing if this is recent or not.
Do I risk contamination if I bring the wood into my hardwood stock?

 

[dizz]

Yes

 

[perlmonkey]

I have been given a large lot of old ash and oak boards which were kept in the rafters of a stable block. The ash is clean but some of the oak boards have signs of (old?) woodworm infestation (8 or 9 holes in 8') but I have no way of knowing if this is recent or not.
Do I risk contamination if I bring the wood into my hardwood stock?

I've seen it said that if you tap the wood and dust comes out the holes it means the woodworm is active.. why don't you treat it before you bring it into your wood stock?

 

[joinerjohn]

Once you can see the holes, this usually means the larvae have transformed into adult beetles and have left the timber (the holes are called flight holes)
Personally, I'd treat the timber with some proprietary woodworm treatment, before bringing it to your hardwood stock.
If it's a fairly new infestation, you should see new dust near the holes, or increasing amounts near the holes.

 

[Coredefence]

Thanks to those who responded. Perhaps my enquiry was badly worded, I'm sure there is always a risk. I too had heard that the holes are evidence that the beast had flown so I was sort of looking for confirmation of that. As to treatment, I'll look it up and see if I can't find a low impact (to me) solution.
Thanks again.

 

[Coredefence]

I'm new here so I don't know if posting links is allowed but I found this really good site for info on woodworm:

http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/woodworm.htm

Tells me all I need to know.