What do I do? - I'm currently panicking and putting all bits and bobs that are down there in the bin. I haven't dared look at the floor joists closely yet.

There's some info on Ask Jeff (http://www.ask-jeff.co.uk/building-woodworm.htm)

I found him Googling woodworm lifecycle (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=lifecycle+woodworm&btnG=Google+Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB)

The second linky thing should show you my 'search'.
Hope it's any help?

The only effective control for woodworm in structural timbers is methyl bromide fumigation, which is best left to the experts. However if they are just in small items, there is a much easier way to get rid of them, which was told to me by someone at the Ministry of Agriculture some years ago. That is, put them in the freezer. If you cool the items down to freezer temperature (usually -18 degrees C, check it with a fridge thermomenter) it will kill all the active larvae, but it doesn't kill the unhatched eggs. However if after freezing them once, you warm them back up to room temperature and then freeze them again for another couple of days, it will kill the eggs as well. I've never had any problem with anything that I've put through this treatment. Obviously it depends on what is affected: there are some things you don't want to bung in the freezer like valuable old paintings etc. but I guess these wouldn't be in your cellar in the first place.

There was some talk a few years ago that someone had worked out the chemical nature of the woodworm pheromone and they were thinking of marketing it as a control method, presumably in combination with an insecticide. I don't know whether anything ever came of it though. there's always the danger you could attract some more in from outside I guess!

Hope this helps.

remember it's only an issue if you can see bits of wood shavings coming out of the holes, otherwise the woodworm is most likely dead, and not a problem.

thanks don and all, Ask Jeff was reassuring but as there are adult beetles around I clearly need to do something - aargh but what? the chemicals sound vile . .

First. Don't panic!

Any old house will get woodworm from time to time, and I presume you're in an old house if you have a cellar. You only have to go to places like Haddon Hall and you will see traces of old woodworm attacks all over the place. I think they used to use camphor for treating it in those days.

If you see holes in the structure of your house then you can get an expert out as it's best not to go half measures on the structure. And most importantly, it is reassuring. But you don't need to chuck any furniture from your cellar out! Just get a nice few days and a large can of wodworm treatment and liberally coat your furniture in it. I've got a lot of old furniture that was treated for woodworm and it was effective.

Oh, and if you see any flying insects in your house, squash them immediately. ;)

Isn't there a thread somewhere about how to deal with silverfish ? You might find some info there on insecticides. :D

Have they touched your wine yet?