Common furniture beetle
Inform Guide: Insect Attack to Timber, published on 22 January 2016 by Historic Scotland states: ‘Commonly known as woodworm, the common furniture beetle is the most likely insect to threaten timber in Scotland. The beetle can be identified by the round holes which they produce in timber and the egg shaped pellets of bore dust they leave. The damage is caused by the larvae that, after hatching, bore into wood in search of nutrition. This larval phase can last for up to 3 years, therefore, if left unchecked, considerable damage can be caused to structural timber. Where moisture content is below 12% it is hard for the larvae to survive. Conversely, where moisture content is high, and especially where rot has already occurred, timber is particularly vulnerable to attack. Sapwood (the outer section) of soft wood trees such as pine spruce and fir is especially prone to infestation. A serious outbreak of furniture beetle larvae can cause severe damage and when coupled with rot, could well require replacement of timbers.’
See also: Woodworm.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.
A brief run down of changes intentions from April in an onwards.
Reslating an ancient water mill
A rare opportunity to record, study and repair early vernacular roofs.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2025/26
Construction apprentice from Lincoln Mia Owen wins this years title.
Insulation solutions with less waste for a circular economy
Rob Firman, Technical and Specification Manager, Polyfoam XPS explains.
Recycled waste plastic in construction
Hierarchy, prevention to disposal, plastic types and approaches.
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard V1 published
Free-to-access technical standard to enable robust proof of a decarbonising built environment.