Is Your Woodworm Still Active? How to Tell Before It Spreads

You notice small round holes in a beam, a piece of furniture or a wooden floor, and the obvious question follows: is the woodworm still eating the timber, or is this old, dormant damage? Getting that answer right matters — because active woodworm quietly weakens structural wood for years.

Here's how to tell the difference, and why waiting to find out can be an expensive mistake.

Active or old? The signs that matter

Active woodworm usually leaves fresh, pale, powdery dust (frass) beneath or around the timber, and exit holes with clean, light-coloured edges. Old, treated or inactive damage tends to look grey and dusty, with no new frass appearing.

Seeing live beetles near wooden items in spring and summer is a clear sign of an active infestation. If you're not sure, that uncertainty itself is a reason to have it checked — guessing wrong is costly.

Why woodworm is dangerous when ignored

The damage you see is done by larvae that have been tunnelling unseen for years. In Marbella's humidity, poorly ventilated spaces can keep an infestation active and spreading from furniture to structural beams and joists.

By the time timber sounds hollow or starts to crumble, the structural integrity may already be compromised — and replacing beams costs far more than treating them early.

How we confirm and treat woodworm

Our technicians first confirm whether the infestation is active and identify the type and extent. We then apply certified treatment by brush, spray or injection depending on the timber, and add a protective treatment to help prevent re-infestation.

We finish with advice on ventilation and moisture control to keep your timber healthy. Here's our woodworm treatment in Marbella.

Frequently asked questions

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