Furniture beetles, also known as wood beetles or woodboring beetles, are common pests that can cause significant damage to wooden structures and furniture. These small but destructive insects burrow into wood, creating tunnels and weakening its integrity over time.
Whether you’re dealing with powderpost beetles, deathwatch beetles, or any other type of wood eating beetle, it’s essential to act quickly once you’ve detected an infestation.
In this guide, we’ll cover how to identify beetles that eat wood, the signs of an infestation, and practical strategies to eliminate them.
If you’re struggling with a more generalized infestation, check out our comprehensive guide on how to get beetles away from your home.
What Are Furniture Beetles?
Furniture beetles are a specific type of wood-boring beetle, but not all wood-boring beetles are furniture beetles.
The term ‘wood-boring beetles’ refers to a broad category of beetles whose larvae tunnel through wood, including species like powderpost beetles, longhorn beetles, and bark beetles. Furniture beetles (also known as Anobium punctatum or common woodworm) are a type of wood-boring beetle that primarily infests and ingests furniture and structural wood.
Furniture beetle larvae, known as wood-boring beetle larvae, feed on the wood as they grow, creating tiny holes and tunnels. These beetles are often found in old wooden furniture, floorboards, and structural timbers, making them a threat to your home.
One of the most common species is the common furniture beetle which primarily targets hardwoods. However, there are many other types, including the deathwatch beetle, which prefers decaying wood, and the powderpost beetle, known for its ability to infest both soft and hardwoods.
Powderpost beetles are typically found in North Carolina, and adult powderpost beetles choose to lay their eggs in woods like oak, ash, hickory, mahogany, and walnut. Infestations commonly occur in wood paneling, molding, flooring, window and door frames, plywood, and furniture.
Not sure if your beetle infestation is wood-boring? Check out this guide to common beetle species to help identify your pest.
Are Furniture Beetles Dangerous?
While furniture beetles aren’t harmful to humans directly, their ability to damage wooden structures makes them a serious concern. These wood destroying beetles can compromise the structural integrity of your home, leading to expensive repairs.
If left undetected, wood-boring beetles can certainly pose a danger to the safety of your home – and your finances.
Signs of a Wood-Boring Beetle Infestation
Spotting the signs of a wood-boring beetle infestation early can save your home from damage and help prevent costly repairs. If you suspect your home is at risk, here are some signs that might confirm your suspicions:
You Spot Wood-Boring Beetles:
Adult wood-boring beetles are typically small, ranging from 2 to 7 millimeters in length. They are usually brown or black and can be spotted on or near infested wood.
You might notice beetles emerging, typically attracted to light, or hear faint clicking sounds from within the wood
You Spot Wood-Boring Beetle Larvae:
Wood-boring beetle larvae are typically creamy white and C-shaped, with a segmented, soft body and a distinct head. They are often found inside the wood, leaving behind a network of tunnels – and If you cut into infested wood, you might find these larvae feeding within, surrounded by fine, powdery frass.
Wood beetle larvae identification is crucial, as they cause the most damage
You Find Beetle Frass
Frass is the fine, powdery dust left behind by wood-boring beetles as they bore into wood. Frass is a common sign of infestation across many wood-boring species, including powderpost beetles, furniture beetles, and longhorn beetles – and it’s actually a combination of wood particles and beetle excrement.
When wood-boring beetles infest wood, they create tiny holes and push out the frass, often accumulating around the exit holes or beneath infested wood.
Finding frass (or furniture beetle, longhorn beetle, or powder post beetle droppings) around your furniture or wooden structures is a sure sign you have an active wood beetle infestation
You Spot Wood-Boring Beetle Damage
Over time, the larvae’s feeding can weaken your wood structurally, leading to cracks, splits, and, in severe cases, a structural collapse.
Wood beetle damage is marked by small, round exit holes in wood, often surrounded by fine, powdery frass. Infested wood may have tunnels or feel weak and hollow, and in some cases, you might hear a faint ticking sound (or spot beetles and larvae inside or near the wood)
Also, look for tiny, round exit holes in wood, usually 1/32 to 1/16 inch in diameter. The wood may feel weak or crumble easily, indicating internal damage. Inside the wood, you might also spot:
- Reddish-brown to black adult beetles or;
- White, C-shaped larvae
You might also spot the beetles themselves nearby and the frass they’ve left behind.
How to Get Rid of Wood-Boring Beetles?
Getting rid of wood-boring beetles requires a combination of identification, treatment, and prevention. Here’s how you can effectively eliminate these pests:
Wood-Boring Beetle Identification
Before starting treatment, it’s essential to identify the type of beetle infesting your wood. Different beetles may require different approaches. Use resources like pictures of wood beetles to match what you’re dealing with.
Chemical Treatments
Wood-boring beetle treatment often involves insecticidal sprays or injections. These chemicals penetrate the wood, killing the larvae inside.
Powder dust beetle treatment is particularly effective for these types of beetles
Heat Treatment
For large or severe infestations, heat treatment can significantly reduce infestation. This involves heating the infested wood to a temperature that kills the beetles and larvae without damaging the wood.
To effectively kill furniture beetles and other woodboring insects using heat, the infested wood must be heated to a core temperature of at least 132 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature must be maintained for a period of time to ensure that all life stages of the beetles (eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults) are eradicated.
Typically, the wood should be held at the target temperature for 30 minutes to an hour to ensure complete extermination. The specific duration can vary depending on the thickness of the wood and the extent of the infestation. The heat must penetrate thoroughly to the core of the wood, as surface heating alone may not be sufficient to kill larvae deep within the wood.
For safety reasons, wood-boring beetle heat treatment should always be done by a professional team of pest control experts. Professionals often use specialized heating equipment (which they are trained to use) to ensure even and consistent heating across the entire piece of infested wood. This method is especially effective on large or thick wooden items.
Freezing
Freezing is an effective way to treat wood-boring beetles, especially for smaller wooden items.
Start by wrapping the infested wood in plastic to prevent moisture from getting in during the process. Ensure the plastic is sealed tightly, then place the wrapped item in a freezer that can reach at least 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
The wood should remain frozen for at least 72 hours. This duration ensures that both the beetles and their larvae are killed.
After freezing, allow the wood to return to room temperature gradually; this prevents condensation from forming, which could damage the wood. Make sure to unwrap the wood only after it’s fully acclimated to room temperature.
Preventative Measures
After treatment, apply wood preservatives to prevent future infestations. Keep wood dry, as beetles are less likely to infest dry wood.
Professional Help
If the infestation is widespread or you’re unsure how to safeguard your furniture from wood-boring beetles, consider hiring a professional pest control service. Our expert team can provide targeted treatments and help you with wood-boring beetle treatment (including furniture beetle treatment).
Our local Bug Out team of beetle experts protects your home by using highly effective treatments to eliminate wood-boring beetle infestations. We safeguard even the most inconspicuous places on your property – and help to prevent ongoing infestation.
We also provide bespoke tips and tricks to keep your home safe from future infestations.
Preventing Future Infestations
Preventing future infestations of wood beetles in furniture and other wooden items is crucial. Here are some steps you can take:
- Regular Inspections: Check your wooden furniture and structures regularly for signs of beetles, such as wood-boring beetle holes or dust
- Maintain Dry Conditions: Ensure your home is well-ventilated and free from excess moisture, as damp wood is more prone to infestation
- Seal Wood: Use varnishes, paints, or wood sealants to protect exposed wood surfaces from beetle contamination
- Treat Imported Wood: If you bring in old or second-hand furniture, inspect it thoroughly for signs of infestation – and treat it if necessary.
Safeguard Your Home From Beetles Today
Wood-boring beetles, including furniture beetles and powderpost beetles, can cause significant damage to your home if left unchecked, and infestations in homes are pretty much always due to infestation of the wood before construction. So it’s critical to recognize the signs of wood-boring beetles and know how to get rid of furniture beetles before significant damage occurs.
Whether you’re dealing with a current infestation or looking to prevent future ones, staying informed and taking prompt action is critical to keeping your home safe from wood-boring beetles of all kinds.
Need professional help? Eliminating wood-boring beetles on your own can be tricky, especially if you have a widespread infestation. Don’t let these pests damage your belongings: contact Bug Out today, and let our team of local experts safeguard your furniture.