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You have neatly dried your firewood for two years, and suddenly you notice small holes appearing in the wood. What’s going on? Woodworms have settled in your firewood! On this page, you will learn what woodworm actually is, how to recognize it, and whether woodworm is harmful to your firewood.

What exactly is woodworm?

Woodworm is a collective name for the larvae of various types of beetles that lay their eggs on or inside wood. Well-known examples include the common furniture beetle, the powderpost beetle, and the house longhorn beetle. When the eggs hatch, the larvae immediately burrow into the wood and start feeding on it. They tunnel through the wood and may remain inside for several years, consuming your valuable firewood. Eventually, as adult beetles, they leave the infested wood through small, visible exit holes.

Recognizing woodworm in firewood

How can you tell whether your valuable firewood contains woodworm? Woodworms rarely reveal themselves directly, as they usually hide deep inside the wood. However, there are several clear signs of infestation. Look for small, round holes on the surface of the wood. These are the exit holes made by the beetles. Under or around these holes, you may find frass or fine sawdust. Infested wood may also feel less solid and, in severe cases, may even crumble. When splitting the wood, you may sometimes see the larvae or their tunnels with the naked eye.

Are woodworm larvae harmful to your wood stove?

Is it OK to burn wood with woodworm? You can still use firewood that has been infested with woodworm in your wood stove, but it does come with some drawbacks:

• Infested firewood burns faster and produces less heat.
• The woodworm may spread to other wood in your storage that has not yet been affected.
  So be cautious when storing infested wood and prevent the infestation from spreading.

Preventing and combating woodworm

Prevention is better than cure. It is important to know that woodworm prefers moist wood. Therefore, buy or harvest wood that is as dry as possible, and store it in a dry, well-ventilated place. You can also read our article on the best way to stack firewood.

Have you discovered woodworm in your firewood despite this? Separate the affected wood from the rest as quickly as possible to prevent further spread. Ideally, burn the infested wood immediately. If a large portion of your firewood is affected, it may be wise to contact a professional pest controller. This will help you prevent the problem from spreading to other wood or even to your home.