Introduction to Wood Beetle Damage
If you are a furniture lover and a home owner, there is nothing more devastating than discovering that a wood beetle has infested your precious piece of furniture. You can feel sick, …
In this article, I will be sharing how you can identify these common wood beetles, the telltale signs to look for in an infestation, and what you can do to ensure your furniture stays protected from these voracious insects. If you have a current problem (good luck) or want to take proactive steps to help stave off those wood-hungry pests, this article is for you!
Types of Wood Beetles that Commonly Infest Furniture
The wood beetles family also has many different species, numerous shapes and sizes – and also, undoubtedly, many different behaviours, as well. Identifying the many kinds of wood beetles that could potentially target your furniture is the first step in an effective battle plan. Here are some of the most common culprits:
Furniture Carpet Beetle (Anthrenus spp.):
Slightly larger, oblong beetles in black and white, brown and grey.
Larvae feed on natural fibres, like wool, silk and leather, as well as wood and furniture
Can cause significant damage to upholstered furniture, rugs, and other textile-based furnishings
Powderpost Beetles (Lyctus spp.):
Slender, cylindrical beetles that are typically reddish-brown or black in color
Larvae bore their way through the wood, leaving behind a fine, powdery dust that can be a sign of an infestation.
Commonly infest hardwoods, such as oak, ash, and maple, used in furniture construction
Deathwatch Beetles (Xestobium rufovillosum):
Larger, oval-shaped beetles with a distinct mottled appearance
Larvae burrow into the timber, gnawing out a telltale tick-ticking that carries to the ears, especially at night.
They tend to intentionally seek old, moist or rotten wood, and are therefore pests of antique and vintage pieces.
Wood Worm (Anobium punctatum):
Small, brown beetles with a rounded body shape
Larvae burrow through the timber; their exodus hole is small and round and there is fine, powdery frass packed round it.
Identifying Wood Beetle Damage
If you notice in your furniture some indication of wood beetle damage, this is why it matters, and why it is definitely worth taking action: We are aware of the following warning signs that can help you spot if the attack of furniture wood beetles is underway:
Fine Dust: Fine, powdery dust – often sawdust-like – is generally a sign of active infestation. Larvae are feeding and creating powder as they bore through the wood is a big warning.
Tiny exit holes: Small, roundish or ovalish holes in the wood – the emergence holes made by adult beetles as they flew away from the furniture.
Wobbly Structure: If the furniture is wobbly, lacking stability or the structure appears to collapse, it might indicate severe structural damage due to wood-boring beetle larvae.
Adult or larval visible beetles: spotting the actual beetles can confirm an infestation.
It’s also a good idea to carefully inspect your furniture several times a year to check for signs of wood beetle, particularly in areas known to attract them such as joints, crevices, and concealed places. Catching the problem early ensures better chances of containing the damage and keeping it localised before it spreads to other pieces of furniture or your home.
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Signs of Wood Beetle Infestation in Furniture
Another warning sign is the outward evidence of damage so, in addition to the visible signs of damage on the back of the drawer, there are other indicators that can help you identify a wood beetle infestation in your furniture:
Discolouration or Staining: Look for any discolouration or staining on and around the wood’s surface that could indicate an insect’s activity.
Strange Noises: Listen for an odd tick or scratch, typical of powderpost beetle larvae chewing away.
Frass (Insect Droppings): Can be a fine, gritty powder or pelletised poop performed by the beetles and a clear sign that you’ve got trouble.
Webbing or Cocoons: Perhaps there is webbing or cocoons in corner or crevices of the furniture. This might indicate the presence of larvae or pupae.
If you watch for it and check your belongings regularly, you will be better positioned to detect an infestation earlier, before it grows to greater deadly proportions.
Prevention and Protection Measures Against Wood Beetle Damage
This way a wood beetle infestation can be avoided completely, but if the wood is already infected, there is not much you could do to your furniture: All images by the author The best way similar to get rid of bed bugs or mice or ants to completely prevent a wood beetle damage and an infestation is dealing with it when it begins. The easiest way to deal with an infestation is to reduce the moisture level in the wooden element as much as possible. In sum, here is what you can do to prevent a wood beetle infestation.
Keep It Dry: Wood beetles love damp and humid environments. Take care that your home and your furniture are ventilated and that leaks or high humidity are checked and repaired quickly.
Protective Coatings Apply a liquid sealant, varnish, or wax to the surface of your furniture, creating a barrier that wood beetles should avoid if they want to get to the wood.
Clean and inspect your furniture regularly: vacuum crevices and hard-to-reach spots, inspecting for signs of an infestation.
Store Properly If Furniture Is Not In Use: Keep your furniture in a dry and clean spot, without humidity, like a storage unit climate-controlled storage or a low-humidity room.
Repellent Plants: woody plants such as lavender, cedar and lemongrass help to deter wood beetles and other pests from your furniture and home.
Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Employ a combination of prevention techniques – such as using natural deterrents, conducting regular inspections, and using selective treatments – to create a complete perimeter of resistance with the aim of preventing wood beetles.
Adopting these preventive measures will also mean a lot less time spent preparing your woodwork for treatment, saving you money and effort. Good luck!
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How to Get Rid of Wood Beetles in Furniture
If the infestation is already present, having found wood beetles in furniture, you will need to act promptly to eliminate them and stop the small wood destroyers from doing more damage. Play dirty! Here are some things you can do.
Vacuum and Clean. First, thoroughly vacuum all cited furniture. Especially with softwood furniture, shake out any furniture stuffed animals, and vacuum the crevices carefully and thoroughly. Make sure you pick up every adult beetle, larvae, and egg cluster right on spot.
Treat with Insecticides: If a targeted insecticide is available, formulated specifically for wood beetle control, apply it as directed by the manufacturer onto those areas showing signs of infestation and other areas likely to be infested by wood beetle. This treatment may kill the existing and incoming infestations.
Heat or Freeze Treatment: Expose infested furnishings to temperatures either above 120°F (49°C) or below 0°F (-18°C) for a sufficient period of time to kill the beetles and larvae.
Fumigate: in more serious cases, you need a contractor for fumigation to destroy a wood beetle invasion using specialised gas applications.
Replace Heavily Damaged Parts: If the furniture sustained enough structural damage to warrant repair, it will likely wind up replacing the structural components brought low by the previous owner, e.g., legs, shelves, frames and so on.
Monitor and Maintain: Continue to monitor the furniture closely and maintain the preventive measures described above to avoid a reinfestation.
Of course, it is best to have the infestation assessed by a professional pest controller if you are unsure how bad it is or what the best treatments might be in your situation.
Wood Beetle Treatment Options for Different Types of Infestations
It depends on the type of beetle, on the severity of the damage, etc. Here are treatment recommendations for various kinds of wood beetles and some notes about the infestation situation:
Furniture Carpet Beetle:
- Use targeted insecticide sprays or powders to eliminate the adult beetles and larvae.
- Thoroughly clean and vacuum the affected areas to remove any eggs or larvae.
- Consider using pheromone traps to monitor and control the population.
Powderpost Beetles:
- Apply insecticide treatments, such as borate solutions, to the affected wood surfaces.
- Consider heat or freezing treatments to kill the larvae and eggs within the wood.
- In severe cases, replace heavily damaged wood components.
Deathwatch Beetles:
- Use insecticide treatments and fumigation to eliminate the active infestation.
- Address any underlying moisture issues that may have contributed to the infestation.
- Consider replacing severely damaged wood to prevent further structural problems.
- Wood Worm:
Apply insecticide treatments, such as permethrin-based sprays, to the affected areas.
Use borates or other wood preservatives to create a protective barrier against future infestations.
In extreme cases, consider replacing the most heavily damaged wood components.
Regardless of which of the aforementioned species of wood beetle is involved, whatever insecticide or treatment you may decide to use, make sure you read its instructions on the packet so as to avoid harming yourself or damaging your furniture.
Professional Wood Beetle Extermination Services
And, if you are unsure about how extensive the wood beetle problem is or don’t feel comfortable dealing with it yourself, call in the professionals from a pest control company. They will:
Accurately identify the type of wood beetle infesting your furniture
Assess the severity of the damage and recommend the most appropriate treatment options
Safely and effectively apply specialized insecticides, fumigants, or other extermination methods
Provide ongoing monitoring and maintenance to prevent future infestations
Offer advice on long-term prevention strategies to protect your furniture
Yes, professional extermination is costlier than trying to get rid of beetles by yourself, but it will be the swiftest and most reliable route to eradicate even the most stubborn of wood beetle infestations and saving your beautifully adorned – and expensive – furniture.
Common Misconceptions About Wood Beetles and Furniture Damage
While wood beetles are important furniture pests, there are several common myths that may prevent owners from successfully dealing with the problem. Let’s dispel a few of them.
Wood Beetles Only Infest Old or Antique Furniture: Older furniture can be more at risk, but wood beetles can attack furniture of any age, even modern and well-maintained pieces.
Because Wood Beetles Are Destroying My Home, Insecticides Are the Only Solution There is Much More Happening Here Than X vs Y. Insecticides may indeed be part of the solution, but a combination of prevention, cleaning, and selective treatment will often prove more successful in the long run.
Wood Beetle Damage Is Irreversible: Left untreated, some items might indeed be permanently ruined. But with timely action and appropriate treatment many objects can be salvaged and repaired – even heavily attacked ones.
Wood Beetles Only Infest Natural Wood Furniture: Wood beetles will happily infest engineered wood furniture such as particleboard or MDF, and they’ll infest upholstered furniture that contains natural fibers.
Hopefully, by erasing these illusions and appreciating the realities of woodware beetle infestations, you will be able to make the best decisions for the wellbeing of your furniture.
Conclusion: Maintaining the Longevity of Your Furniture
Taking measures to prevent damage to your furniture from wood beetles is a life-long task requiring vigilance, preventative measures and taking immediate action if you find your woods are infested. If you know what the different types of wood beetles are, how to spot an infestation early on and what to do about them, you’ll increase the chances of your furniture investment lasting a very long time.
So, be sure to regularly take action, to inspect, to prevent and to cure. I hope this article will help you to keep your furniture in and on your home safe, secure and sound.
Ensure that your furniture survives by taking the first step then, and call a professional inspection by our wood beetle experts. An extensive examination of the situation will be made by our partner and any potential infestation will be monitored and you will be given professional recommendations to ensure your furniture is safe and secure where you need it to be.