In most old timber frame buildings the sapwood at the corners of posts and beams will have been eaten away long ago – without any damage to the structural heartwood. Right: The cut end of a log, showing the definition between the living sapwood (usually lighter) and the attack-resistant heartwood
Pretty much every period property will have experienced a woodworm attack at some point in its life. It can be a cause of much worry, but this is rarely as serious as you might fear, and in fact very frequently prompts unnecessary, expensive and potentially harmful remedial work and treatment. Unfortunately, this is regularly recommended by building surveyors who should, but often don’t, know better.
What is woodworm?
Woodworm is actually a wood boring insect: the Common Furniture beetle. The damage an infestation causes is largely down to the larvae, which live in timber and use it as a food source, boring extensive, very narrow tunnels.