Longevity of wood worm?

[whatknot]

A neighbour kindly donated some tongue and groove timber from an outhouse he was knocking down, there was a skip full of it but sadly it was wood wormed

So I kept a few lengths to show willing, but put it in the yard, not wishing to keep it inside

Its been outside in all weathers for a couple of years

Would you think any worm or offspring are dead by now?

I am not sure how long they would live outside

 

[MikeG.]

That won't have made any great difference to the woodworm. Being in the warm and dry is fatal to them, as they want cool and damp conditions. I suggest you burn or otherwise dispose of the timber now. A properly heated house is not an inviting place for woodworm, whose original existence was in decaying timber in woodlands.

 

[whatknot]

I find that surprising I have to say, when I have found wood worm in the past its always been inside in the warm

 

[MikeG.]

Then it's not been warm enough, or dry enough.

Here is the advice from SPAB(Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings).

 

[whatknot]

Well thats a shame, I hate getting rid of wood

But looks like its for the best on this occasion

Reading some on the lifecycle it appears the grubs can last 2 to 5 years

Ah well , thanks for your input