With warmer weather arriving earlier this year, many of us are opening windows, tackling DIY jobs and spending more time caring for older properties. But rising temperatures also signal the start of woodworm season – and experts warn activity has begun earlier than usual in 2026.
Victorian and Edwardian homes are particularly at risk because of their age, timber features and damp-prone spaces, which create ideal conditions for infestations to go unnoticed. Left untreated, woodworm can spread through floorboards, furniture and structural timber.
Here, we explain why woodworm season has started early, the warning signs to look for, and how to protect your home before serious damage sets in.
Why experts expect woodworm to be worse this year
Woodworm beetles usually emerge between April and September to lay their eggs, but experts say unusually warm conditions have accelerated activity this year. The Met Office has confirmed that 2026 is currently tracking as one of the four warmest years on global record, creating ideal conditions for infestations to spread earlier and faster than normal.
At the same time, the mild 2025/26 winter failed to bring the prolonged cold spells that would normally reduce overwintering larvae populations. As a result, more beetles are expected to survive and emerge across UK homes this spring and summer.
‘Warm springs are directly linked to earlier beetle emergence, but what makes this year particularly concerning is how quickly infestations can take hold before homeowners realise anything is wrong,’ says Luke Newnes, gardening expert and influencer at Hillarys. ‘By the time you start to see the small exit holes, the structural damage has often already been done inside the timber.’
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Experts warn this could mean infestations are discovered later than usual — often during surveys, renovations or DIY projects — when repairs are already costly and more extensive.
The warning signs of woodworm — and what to do next
One of the biggest dangers of a woodworm infestation is how easily it can go unnoticed. The small round exit holes — usually measuring just one to two millimetres wide — only appear after the beetles have already completed their larval stage inside the timber, meaning damage may already be extensive by the time it becomes visible.
‘Checking loft spaces, floorboards and older furniture now can make the difference between a minor treatment and a much more expensive structural repair,’ explains Luke.
Look for fine powdery dust, known as frass, around or beneath wooden structures, and act quickly before the main summer laying season begins.
For smaller infestations, experts recommend using a liquid brush-on or spray insecticide containing permethrin or boron, applying it generously over affected areas. However, more severe infestations should always be treated by a qualified pest control professional to ensure the problem is fully eradicated.
