Safeguard Europe has produced a guide on the problem of larval infestation of timber: how to identify the cause, and how to treat it.

The ‘Woodworm Identification and Treatment’ volume is packed with detailed colour photography on the likely species to be encountered in Britain – and through all their life stages, from larvae to adult.

Light infestations of some species can simply be treated by application of a high strength curative woodworm treatment – such as Soluguard Woodworm Treatment – others will require more extensive or complicated treatment by a professional company.

For areas of heavier infestation, or those involving some of the more aggressive species of woodworm, affected timbers may need to be cut out and replaced. Treatment using injected pastes or gels, like ProBor 20, might also be employed, as these can kill the larvae deep inside the timber – but these are licensed by the Health and Safety Executive as only for professional use.