Insect pests in houses

TRADA image

Insect pests are a common sight in houses in the UK. Many of these can be ignored without consequence however there are several insect species which are known to attack timber.

This Wood Information Sheet is a guide to the most common insects seen in UK houses, including how to recognise the 16 most common types of insect pests, whether they pose a threat to either the structural or superficial elements of a timber structure, and finally details on how to treat against them.



Contents:

  • General guidance on dealing with insect pests
  • Plaster beetles
  • Silverfish
  • Wood lice
  • Earwigs
  • Biscuit, bread or drug store beetle
  • Flour beetles
  • Larder or bacon beetles
  • Sawflies
  • Carpet and fur beetles
  • Wood wasps
  • Forest longhorn beetles
  • Ambrosia or pinworm beetles
  • Bark beetles
  • Lyctus or powder post beetles
  • Common furniture beetle
  • House longhorn beetle


This Wood Information Sheet was reviewed in February 2017 and minor corrections were made to the references section.

Suggested Reading

Fungi and insect pests in timbernavigation-arrow

Due to its relatively cold temperate climate, the UK is not seriously afflicted by insect pests, with the majority of species known to attack timber restricted to tropical and subtropical regions.

This Wood Information Sheet outlines the more important types of fungi and insects which can affect timber....

28/02/2017 |  Wood Information Sheet  

Preservative treatment for timber - a guide to specificationnavigation-arrow

The first decision to be made regarding preservative treatment is whether the use of a naturally durable species will satisfy the durability requirements or whether treatment is needed. This Wood Information Sheet aims to guide the specifier through the process necessary to reach a decision that will result in a...

10/04/2017 |  Wood Information Sheet  

Timber treatment: Fact sheet no. 8navigation-arrow

This wood for good fact sheet gives readers a brief overview of the use of preservative treatment used on timber.

This fact sheet explains why those specifying timber should consider treatment options. It also gives examples of some of the treatment options available plus some of the considerations that...

01/01/2004 |  Info from other organisation