Woodworm in Furniture: How to Treat & Save Antiques
Find woodworm in furniture and antiques, learn how to treat it without ruining the piece, when to call a specialist and how to stop it spreading to your home.
Woodworm in furniture is common, especially in antiques and second-hand pieces. The good news is that most items can be saved. This guide shows how to check a piece, how to treat it and when to ask for help.
How to check a piece
Look at the unpolished parts, because beetles prefer bare wood. Check the back, the underside, drawer bottoms and the inside of frames. Look for small round holes, fresh dust and loose wood.
Use a torch at a low angle. Fresh holes look pale and sharp. Old holes look dull. Dust that returns after cleaning means the beetle is active. Our guide to active versus historic woodworm explains the test.
Isolate the piece
Move the item away from other furniture and from the floor. Wrap it in plastic if you can. This stops the beetle moving on, because adults fly and crawl to new wood.
Also check nearby pieces and the floor beneath. Woodworm can come from the building as well as from the furniture.
DIY treatment
For a plain, non-valuable piece, a shop woodworm fluid can work. Follow these steps:
- Work outdoors or in a ventilated space.
- Wear gloves and a mask.
- Brush or inject the fluid into the holes and over bare wood.
- Repeat after a few weeks, since larvae may survive a first coat.
- Leave the piece to dry fully.
Test the product on a hidden spot first, because some fluids mark polish and veneer. Read the best treatment products review for what is on sale.
Valuable antiques
For a valuable piece, ask a conservator or a specialist. Harsh fluids can damage finishes and reduce value. Some firms treat furniture with heat or in a sealed chamber, although the cost is higher.
Natural options
Some people try freezing or heating small items. Results vary, so these routes carry risk for fine pieces. Our guide to natural woodworm treatment explains the limits.
Repair and finish
Treatment kills the beetle but does not restore lost wood. Fill the holes with wax or filler once the piece is dry. A conservator can match the finish, which matters on antiques.
Prevent it coming back
Keep furniture in a dry, ventilated room, and avoid damp walls. Polish or wax bare wood, since a sealed surface is harder for females to use. Check pieces each spring.
If you find holes in the floor or joists too, the building may need a survey. You can also request a survey.
Homes differ by city, so local advice helps. Our pages on woodworm treatment in Bournemouth and woodworm treatment in Weston-super-Mare explain the usual problems.
To go deeper, read about the common furniture beetle and the spray treatment, because the right method depends on the beetle.