Active woodworm. Does whole house need treated?

[lizardorchid]

We have just had a survey done on a house we are hoping to purchase. It has found active woodworm around hatch in attic and in joists and floorboards in cellar. Evidence of non active woodworm was found under carpet which could be lifted on ground floor. Surveyor recommended whole house be treated. We got a further report from a timber expert who has advised we only need to treat the active areas. This will be such a difference in price (£1000s I think). Does anyone have experience of this? I can't understand why timber expert would only want to treat active areas.

Well, we just treated active areas, but more to the point, we dealt with the damp that was making the environment perfect for them. Otherwise they will just come back.

Thanks Countess. Yes - we'll fix the damp too!

round the loft hatch is because warm air rises up and makes them comfortable. It is often found in bathroom floors because they are damper than average.

modern houses with central heating are usually too dry for them to survive, so it's rare now. But if your house is humid due to leaks, building defects or draping wet washing around, you are more at risk.

hoover up any traces you find and mark with a pencil. Then if you see any more traces you will know they are new. If probing wood, use a flat screwdriver, not anything round and pin-like as the marks can be mistaken for insect holes.

Good tip about the flat screwdriver. Thanks PigletJohn.