Woodworm A good time to treat?

[stevekendal]

Usually, I treat woodworm in in Spring, using one of those expensive injector cans and the little winged beasties come staggering out, too weak to fly away. This time, I got a 5 litre from Screwfix and after just one brushing of my HMV 499 last night, a couple of 5mm larvae crawled out. Is this a better stage to get them or doesnt it matter?

[paulsherwin]

I don't think it makes much difference. Most of the effect comes from poisoning the wood rather than killing the worms or beetles directly.

It's been a warm winter this year so I imagine lots of worms have survived and are still active. The worms are often killed off by a really cold snap, though the eggs usually survive.

[stevekendal]

I think at least two more dousings are in order

[paulsherwin]

You need to keep doing it until there's been no sign of activity for at least a year. There's no point in retreating within hours or days though - a couple of times a year should be plenty if you make a thorough job of it.

[Colinaps]

I read somewhere that a Borax solution was an effective treatment, and a lot cheaper than the usual hardware chain-stores.

Cheers,

Colin.

[HamishBoxer]

The worm is active during the Sporadic E season for the record,April May June July.Talking of warm Winters and the worm surviving we still have a fly in the house this year.