Signs of Woodworm in Furniture: Should You Be Worried?
You’ve spotted small holes in a piece of furniture. An old dining chair, an antique chest of drawers, a wardrobe you inherited or picked up secondhand. Now you’re wondering whether it’s woodworm, whether it’s active, and whether it means you have a bigger problem on your hands.
Here’s what you need to know.
What Is Woodworm?
Woodworm isn’t a worm. It’s the larval stage of wood-boring beetles, most commonly the Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium punctatum) in UK homes. The adult beetle lays eggs in cracks and crevices in bare or unfinished wood. The larvae hatch and spend the next two to five years tunnelling through the timber, feeding on it from the inside. When fully developed, they pupate near the surface and emerge as adult beetles, leaving behind the small round exit holes you’ve noticed.
Those holes are how most people discover an infestation, often long after it began.
Old Woodworm Holes in Furniture vs Active Infestation
Finding woodworm holes in furniture doesn’t automatically mean you have a live infestation. A lot of old furniture, particularly antiques and secondhand pieces, carries the scars of past infestations that have long since run their course. Knowing the difference matters.
Signs of old woodworm holes in furniture:
- Holes are darkened or discoloured around the edges
- No fine dust in or around the holes
- The wood feels solid when pressed firmly
- No sign of beetles or shed skins nearby
Signs of active woodworm in furniture:
- Fresh exit holes with clean, sharp edges and pale, unweathered wood around them
- Fine powdery dust, known as frass, around or beneath the holes. This is a combination of wood dust and larval droppings
- Weak or crumbling wood, particularly around affected areas
- Live beetles near the furniture, especially between May and September when adults emerge
The emergence season is important. Adult beetles are most active from late spring through to early autumn. If you spot fresh holes and frass during this period, there’s a good chance the infestation is current. Outside of this window, new holes can still indicate activity, as larvae are feeding year-round, but adult emergence is the most visible sign.
If you’re unsure, press a screwdriver gently into the affected area. Active or heavily affected timber will feel soft and may crumble. Sound timber will resist the pressure.
Can Woodworm Spread from Furniture to Your House?
This is the question most people are really asking, and it’s the right one to ask.
Yes, woodworm can spread from furniture to structural timber. Adult beetles emerging from an infested piece of furniture will fly and seek out other bare timber surfaces to lay eggs. Floor joists, roof timbers, floorboards, staircases, and door frames are all potential targets, particularly if the timber is older, untreated, or in a damp environment.
The risk is higher if:
- The infested furniture is in direct contact with, or very close to, structural timber
- Your home has older, untreated timber with exposed grain
- There are areas of dampness or poor ventilation, which raise the moisture content of timber and make it more attractive to beetles
- The piece was brought into the home during the active season and beetles had already begun to emerge
This is why a piece of infested secondhand furniture is a genuine concern, not just a cosmetic one. An antique that looks charming with a few holes can introduce an active infestation to roof timbers or floor joists within a single season.
Woodworm in Furniture Treatment: DIY or Professional?
The answer depends on whether the infestation is active, where the furniture is in your home, and what it’s made of.
When DIY treatment is appropriate
For a confirmed, localised active infestation in a solid wood piece, a water-based woodworm treatment fluid applied to all bare timber surfaces is a reasonable first step. These products work by penetrating the wood and killing larvae on contact. They’re available from most hardware and DIY stores.
A few things to be aware of before you treat:
- Water-based treatments can darken or stain waxed, oiled, or varnished surfaces. Test on an inconspicuous area first
- Treatment is only effective on accessible surfaces. Larvae tunnelling deep within thick timber may be unaffected
- Upholstered furniture cannot be treated with liquid products safely
- Antique furniture should be assessed by a restoration specialist before any treatment is applied, as products can affect the finish and value
If the infestation appears confined to one piece and hasn’t been in your home long, isolation and treatment is a sensible approach. Remove the piece from your home while treating it if possible, particularly during the May to September emergence season.
When to call a professional
Some situations require more than a bottle from the DIY shop.
Call a professional if:
- The infestation is extensive across multiple pieces or areas
- The affected furniture has been in your home for a season or more, giving beetles time to spread
- You’ve found woodworm holes in structural timber such as floorboards, joists, roof beams, or staircases
- The furniture is upholstered and can’t be treated with standard products
- You’re not sure whether the infestation is active or how far it has spread
Professional treatments include deep timber injection, heat treatment, and controlled atmosphere technology, which uses inert gases to eliminate all life stages of the beetle without chemical residues. This is particularly useful for upholstered pieces, valuable antiques, or situations where chemical treatment isn’t suitable.
How to Reduce the Risk of Woodworm Spreading
Whether you’re treating furniture yourself or waiting for a professional survey, the following steps reduce the risk of an infestation taking hold in your home’s structure.
Keep timber dry. Woodworm infestations are significantly more likely in timber with elevated moisture content. Fix any leaks, improve ventilation in roof spaces and sub-floor areas, and use a dehumidifier in damp rooms.
Check secondhand furniture before it comes inside. Inspect any wooden piece before bringing it into your home, particularly during spring and summer. Look for fresh holes and frass. If in doubt, leave it outside or in a garage while you assess it.
Inspect structural timber periodically. Roof spaces, under-floor areas, and cellars are the most vulnerable parts of a property. A quick annual inspection for fresh holes, frass, or weakened timber costs nothing and can catch a problem early.
Don’t ignore it. Woodworm spreads slowly but steadily. An infestation in furniture that goes untreated for two or three seasons can establish itself in structural timber, turning a minor problem into a costly one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if woodworm holes in furniture are old or new?
Old holes are darkened around the edges, with no dust present. Fresh holes have clean, pale edges and are often surrounded by fine powdery frass. If you’re seeing fresh holes or frass between May and September, the infestation is likely active.
Can woodworm spread from furniture to the house?
Yes. Adult beetles emerging from infested furniture will seek out other bare timber to lay eggs. Structural timber in older, less well-ventilated properties is particularly at risk. If you have active woodworm in furniture and older untreated timbers elsewhere in your home, a professional assessment is worthwhile.
Do I need a professional to treat woodworm in furniture?
Not always. A localised, confirmed active infestation in solid wood furniture can often be treated with a DIY woodworm fluid. But if the infestation is extensive, the furniture is upholstered or antique, or you suspect it may have spread to structural timber, professional treatment is the safer option.
Found woodworm in furniture and not sure if it’s gone further? Kenwood’s surveyors cover London and the South East. We’ll assess your property honestly and tell you whether you have a structural problem, or put your mind at rest if you don’t.
