Wood worm

[Alice.grant]

Hi, I’ve bought a semi 1940s house
I have lived here for 18months, I have discovered woodworm, under a small space under the stairs, holes appeared in the wood, when I opened the small door, which access the meter, one piece of wood holding meter has just disinter grated. I have killed about 50/60 nettles in past week.
I have also noticed holes in my dining room opposite. Which is park ray flooring. And found 2 dead in kitchen and a live one this morning.
My partner has order stuff off the internet for me to treat the floor and skirting boards. Do you think this stuff will kill the worms or any new nesting due to outbreak this week.
Please advise, I’m desperate. I can’t afford thousands, I’m just hoping there is a cheaper way to terminate these bugs
Thank you
Alison

 

[Alice.grant]

Sorry meant to add this picture, see if any one knows what beetle this is

 

[Cubist]

@Matt Green may be along later to accurately identify the bug you've got there. But yes you do appear to have found some evidence of woodworm of one variety or another. If the timber has not lost its structural and become completely friable then the remaining timber can be treated with a chemical (permethrin) pesticide to kill off any living larvae. You can then 'thumb in' a little wax to fill the old exit holes and paint later if desired. In the future keep an eye open for 'frass' - a darkish sawdust like material which can indicate that a new generation of larvae is at work. The key and critical action though is to keep the wood as dry as possible in the future and make sure that there is good airflow around these locations if you can.