Woodworm TreatmentWoodworm: Signs of Active Infestation & Treatment
Professional woodworm treatment across South & West Yorkshire, with local pages for Sheffield and Leeds.
Woodworm holes don’t always mean live larvae — an inspection tells you the truth.
BPCA certified · Confirms the woodworm is active before treating · Free survey · No call-out fee · 7 days a week
At a Glance
- Service
- Woodworm Treatment
- Provider
- Apex Pest Control Ltd
- Locations
- Sheffield, Leeds, Rotherham & Barnsley
- Pricing
- Free survey, then a fixed quote
- Method
- Confirm active — treat the timber & the damp behind it
- Credentials
- BPCA certified · £5M insured
Is Your Woodworm Still Active? That’s the First Thing Apex Checks
Apex Pest Control Ltd treats woodworm across South and West Yorkshire, and the first question on every job is whether the infestation is active. Woodworm is the larvae of wood-boring beetles — most often the common furniture beetle (Anobium punctatum) — tunnelling through timber for years before emerging as adults from May to September.
Old, treated or dormant woodworm leaves grey, weathered holes and no fresh dust, and usually needs no treatment at all. An active infestation leaves clean, fresh 1–2mm round exit holes, fine light-coloured frass (bore dust) beneath them, and live beetles in summer.
Apex Pest Control confirms which you have at a free survey — and never sells you treatment you do not need.
Woodworm Profile
The Signs of Woodworm — and Which Beetle You Have
Apex Pest Control Ltd identifies the beetle and the signs, because the treatment depends on the species and the extent. Woodworm is often flagged on a house survey with a lender wanting proof it has been dealt with — so Apex inspects, confirms whether the beetle is still active, and provides a written report.
Common furniture beetle
Anobium punctatum — small round 1–2mm holes and gritty frass in floorboards, joists, furniture and roof timbers. The usual “woodworm”.
Deathwatch beetle
Xestobium rufovillosum — larger 3mm holes in old, damp hardwood such as oak beams, common in period and historic buildings.
Powderpost beetle
Lyctus brunneus — very fine, flour-like frass in the sapwood of hardwoods, distinct from the gritty dust of the furniture beetle.
Easily confused: biscuit beetle
The biscuit beetle is a stored-food pest, not a timber pest. Apex Pest Control identifies it correctly before any treatment, so you never treat the wrong thing.
The signs to look for
Clean round exit holes, fine bore dust (frass), tunnels in timber, crumbling or weakened wood, and adult beetles emerging in summer.
Active or old?
Fresh, light frass and clean holes mean an active infestation; grey, weathered holes with no dust usually mean old woodworm that needs no treatment.
Why Use Apex for Woodworm?
Apex Pest Control Ltd treats woodworm properly because clearing it depends on confirming it is active, identifying the beetle, and treating the damp behind it.
We confirm it is active first
Apex Pest Control surveys before quoting, so you never pay to treat old or dead woodworm that needs no work at all.
We treat the timber at source
A professional boron or permethrin-based insecticide is applied to the affected timber, reaching the larvae a shop-bought product cannot.
We tackle the damp
Woodworm thrives in damp timber, so Apex flags the moisture and ventilation issues that let it take hold, and the dry or wet rot that often sits alongside it.
BPCA certified, fully insured
RSPH Level 2 qualified technicians, £5M public liability insurance, and HSE-approved products on every visit.
How Apex Pest Control Treats Woodworm
Apex Pest Control Ltd follows a proven, survey-led process carried out by a BPCA-certified technician.
Free survey & identify
Confirm the infestation is active, identify the beetle (furniture, deathwatch or powderpost) and map the extent across the timber.
Quote honestly
A clear, fixed quote based on what the survey finds, from a single piece of furniture to structural roof timbers.
Treat the timber
Apply a professional boron or permethrin-based insecticide to the affected timber, treating the larvae at source.
Address the damp & advise
Identify the moisture allowing woodworm to thrive, advise on ventilation and structural timber, and re-check where needed.
Woodworm treatment is quoted after a free survey, because the job ranges from a single antique to whole structural roof timbers. No call-out fee.
What Our Customers Say
"Apex are wonderful — quick to respond, punctual, and great at communicating. Tony is so knowledgeable and trustworthy. We first called almost 40 years ago and wouldn’t use anyone else."
"Absolutely fantastic service. Tom came out the day I enquired, very professional and knowledgeable, and explained everything thoroughly. Highly recommend."
"Five-star assistance from Tony. I really appreciate his straightforward approach, knowledge and professionalism."
Rated 4.9/5 from 110+ reviews across our Google (Sheffield & Barnsley) and Trustpilot profiles.
Transparent Pricing
How Much Does Woodworm Treatment Cost?
Woodworm treatment is always quoted after a free survey — because the job ranges from a single antique to whole structural roof timbers, and the price depends entirely on what the survey finds.
Every job starts with a
Free Survey
then a clear, fixed quote upfront · no call-out fee
- Free survey to confirm whether the woodworm is active
- Beetle identification — furniture, deathwatch or powderpost
- A fixed quote upfront — the price you are quoted is the price you pay
- Treatment of the timber and advice on the damp behind it
Apex Pest Control Ltd gives a clear, fixed quote upfront, with no call-out fee. The price you are quoted is the price you pay, all plus VAT. Book your free survey to get started.
Why Choose Apex for Woodworm Treatment?
Apex Pest Control Ltd is a BPCA-certified, family-run Yorkshire business. Founder Tony Johnson has 40 years' experience across pest control, forestry and wildlife management, and the team holds RSPH Level 2 qualifications — so woodworm in beams, staircases, floors and period timber is identified and treated correctly.
BPCA Certified
Every technician holds current BPCA certification — the recognised UK standard for professional pest control.
Confirms Active Before Treating
Apex surveys before quoting, so you never pay to treat old or dead woodworm that needs no work.
Treats the Timber & the Damp
Apex treats the affected timber and identifies the moisture and ventilation issues that let woodworm take hold.
RSPH Level 2 Qualified
The team holds RSPH Level 2 qualifications and 40 years' forestry and pest experience, so beams and period timber are treated correctly.
Free Survey, Fixed Quote
A free survey, then a clear, fixed quote upfront with no call-out fee — the price you are quoted is the price you pay.
£5M Public Liability
Fully insured to £5M public liability, so you are protected on every visit.
Where Do We Treat Woodworm?
Apex Pest Control Ltd covers South and West Yorkshire from four local offices: Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Leeds. Choose your nearest area below for local availability, response times and area-specific advice.
Woodworm Flagged on a Survey, or in a Period Property?
Apex Pest Control Ltd inspects woodworm flagged on a building or mortgage survey, confirms whether it is active, treats it, and provides a clear report for the sale. The team also treats woodworm in period and listed properties, churches and heritage timber across South and West Yorkshire, where older oak and softwood beams need careful, correct treatment. For landlords and estate or property managers, Apex Pest Control delivers the same documented, professional service.
Pest Intelligence
About Woodworm — Facts & Behaviour
A little beetle biology explains why confirming activity and fixing the damp matter as much as treating the timber.
Woodworm Treatment — Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often. If yours is not listed, call us on 0114 349 1098.
Worried About Woodworm? Start With a Free Survey
Found holes and dust in your timber, or woodworm flagged on a survey? Apex Pest Control Ltd confirms whether it is active, identifies the beetle, and treats the timber and the damp behind it — across South and West Yorkshire, free survey, no call-out fee, 7 days a week.