Infestations of woodworm can have devastating effects on houses and furnishings.
The problem of woodworm will not be solved if adequate care is not taken. With antiques furniture and little diseased regions, there are some things you can do to solve the problem.
In order to bring your house back to its pre-infestation state, you need to know exactly what woodworm are and how to tell them from one other.
What are Woodworms?
Contents
Burrowing and feeding on wood is woodworm’s main activity. Pellets are formed as food for the larvae. However, adults consume dead material, such as dusty woods, cardboard, and lumber.
Insects of the Anobiidae family, also known as woodworms, are a small family of beetles.
They are one of the most destructive pests of lumber, furniture, and books. These insects lay their eggs on timber.
Some species produce larval black powder, or frass, which clogs the timber and kills the insects. The larvae are then ready for reproduction and spread to other parts of the wood.
There are four stages in the life of a woodworm.
Woodworm larvae are typically creamy white in color and larval termites come in variety of colors from light brown to black.
Wings and a new place for mating purposes are signs of the woodworm life cycle.
The larvae of woodworms have piercing mouthparts that allow them to feed on certain types of trees.
The larvae can grow up to 5 inches long. Their curled, white bodies allow them to hide easily from predators.
They can also be difficult to see, which is a characteristic that makes them more vulnerable to predators.
When they reach adulthood, they get wings to be able to fly away and find a new mate to start a new family.
False Powder-Post Beetle, bark Borer Woodworm, wood-Boring Weevil, death Watch Beetle, house Longhorn beetle, and Common Furniture Beetle are only few of the woodworm species that may be found in various regions of the globe.
For example, each one prefers to attack soft or hard wood in a certain place.
Softwood and hardwood may be recognized in different colors, but woodworm larvae prefers to attack hardwood because they have more cellulose for energy.
Signs of Woodworm
Because woodworms are microscopic and may develop in cracks on hidden areas of wood, it can be difficult to detect them.
If you suspect that your wood furniture is infested with woodworm, then contact a professional to inspect your furniture.
Small holes in wood are the result of woodworm infestation.
They may also be seen in dark, spongy mass or lines along the grain of a piece of infested wood.
And the first warning sign is when you see the boring and gnawing of the wood.
Another clue that you may have woodworm is darkened and weak wood. The weakened wood may break from a wall or piece of furniture.
Why Are They in Your Furniture?
Woodworm is drawn to soft, old furniture for protection, because it cannot chew through it.
Beetles like to burrow under carpets and furniture in damp and woodworm environments. Furniture made of wood may not be as durable as some of its synthetic counterparts.
Vintage pieces of furniture are a very valuable investment.
Woodworms are more likely to attack furniture that has poor construction. Woodworm infestation can devalue furniture, so it is important to act quickly if you find woodworm on your furniture.
Woodworms are more prone to attack furniture that is old than furniture that is new.
How to Treat Woodworm in Antique Furniture?
When it is obvious that you have woodworms in your furniture, it is time to take measures to prevent them from spreading to other parts of your home.
The most recommended method is to destroy the infested furniture. It’s a good idea to send the furniture to the recycling center so that it doesn’t cause damage to your home.
Never keep an infested piece of furniture in your home as this will eventually accelerate the spread of the infestation. There are several chemicals available that you can use to get rid of woodworms.
The most recommended method is to destroy the infested furniture. It’s a good idea to send the furniture to the recycling center so that it doesn’t cause damage to your home.
When trying to get rid of woodworm, you first need to physically remove the entire infestation.
The woodworm feed by chewing on the wood and generating tunnels in the wood. So, the tunnels must be removed along with the adult worms.
After removing all of the tunnels and woodworm, you can neutralize the chemicals. You can kill the adult worms by using insecticides.
Woodworm feed by chewing on the wood and generating tunnels in the wood. So, the tunnels must be removed along with the adult worms.
After removing all of the tunnels and larvae from the infested piece of wood, you can use some disinfectant and scrub it with a toothbrush to remove the clean surfaces. Next, spray the wood with a woodworm-specific insecticide.
Finally, you should seal the wood completely to protect it from moisture, pollution, and insects, and then you can store it away from the house, preferably in an outdoor shed.
Tips for Taking Care of Large Wooden Surfaces Infested
Homeowners lack the necessary tools and skills to disinfect wood that has been infested by woodworm.
For example, if woodworm has infected wood to such a degree that it is no longer safe, the beams or supports should be replaced as soon as possible.
But you can’t handle it all on your own if the problem is slight, since the infestation can get progressively worse.
Tips for Treating a Small Infected Area
When just a limited number of beetles are congregated in a small wood area, treating it individually is a better option.
The most effective method of ensuring that woodworms or other organisms do not return is to have the wood in question replaced.
All wood infested by woodworm must be cleansed of any stain, epoxy, or other covering.
The woodworms may then be treated with insecticides and wood-safe chemicals like borax, which can then be applied with care to affected sections of the wood.
There is also the option of applying wood putty to the diseased region once that is done.
This might make the wood seem as if it hasn’t been harmed in the first place.
After the insecticide has had time to take effect, the wood’s top coats (primer, paint, stain, and varnish) may be reapplied and secured.
Insecticides and wood-safe chemicals such as Borax may be used for treating woodworm infestations.
Once that has been accomplished, there is the chance that the woodworm infestation could be completely eradicated.
This might assist to give furniture a new life and rid them of unsightly infestations.
After that, top-coats (such as varnish, stain, paint, and primer) for the wood worms may be reapplied and secured.
In the case of wooden surfaces that have just been treated, it is important to allow them time to rest from moisture and sunlight.
How to Get Rid of Woodworm from Wood Naturally
A woodworm’s tiny size makes killing them with a shovel or a hammer impossible. Instead, you will need to follow the natural methods to kill them.
Infestation can only be determined once you get a professional to inspect the wood.
Natural repellents and home cures against woodworms contain ingredients found in common household products like garlic and lemon. Be careful to avoid using these types of repellents indoors, though, as they give off a foul odor.
Some of the best natural repellents to get rid of woodworms are a sprinkling of bran on the soil around plants, garlic scented soap placed on infested wood, or cider vinegar.
Essential oils such as rosemary, cloves, lavender, and others
Essential oils such as rosemary, lavender, clove, eucalyptus, basil, and peppermint will repel woodworm infestations.
Simple injection of this mixture into the wood will kill off and kill off the worms.
If you want better results, you can use cayenne pepper.
Boric acid, ginger, and water
To make a boric -acid solution, mix one teaspoon of boric acid with a glass of water. Dip a cotton ball into the solution and put it into any woodworm holes or fractures.
If you find that the larvae of woodworm are feeding on the cellulose in wood that is not treated with boric acid, boil the wood in water for a few minutes.
Larvae of woodworm will die quickly if exposed to boric acid. If you pour this chemical mixture on the outside of infested wood, it will kill the larvae.
Mint and lemon
Creating an infusion of mint plant and lemon juice and spraying it on your wood surfaces will repel woodworms and keep them away. You can also try placing strips of aluminum foil coated with garlic oil around your wood.
Fresh acorns
Woodworms are attracted to rich, damp environments. Woodworm infested areas tend to be moist and humid. Woods like maple and oak are the perfect breeding grounds for woodworm.
Consequently, you may utilize them for other household purposes.
Wrap a few fresh acorns in a piece of cloth and toss them anywhere you find woodworm infestation.
During the breeding season, it is quite necessary that you inspect it regularly for any signs of woodworm infestation.
It will subsequently be necessary to remove these acorns from the tree.
White vinegar
Many different sorts of insects may be eradicated from your home using vinegar. Moreover, vinegar has the ability to kill off woodworm larvae.
Spray a solution of white vinegar or a 10-to-1 ratio (vinegar to water) of distilled white vinegar and water to the affected area.
Let it sit for 24 hours, then rinse it off. You can use this liquid repellent around the house, as well.
Make careful to apply it on any exposed wood and cover those not directly affected.
This strategy may also be used to remove any existing woodworm infestation.
Also Read: How to Get Rid of Woodworm in House Naturally
Conclusion
Woodworm is a problem that may harm many antique pieces, especially in wooden furniture.
An infestation of woodworm may ruin the structural integrity of many houses and big wooden structures.
Woodworm is very hard to get rid of once it has reached your antiques, which is why it’s important that you take steps to prevent them from getting woodworm in the first place.
If it eats through a piece, the woodworms can hibernate inside your antiques and lay eggs in the following year.
They are often caused by beetles that burrow into wood and eat away at the cellulose inside, causing wooden surfaces to blister and split.
Unlike termites, woodworms do not need Moisture to survive. They don’t need dirt, either, so they don’t need human interaction to survive.
Woodworm is treated with chemicals that kill the woodworms and keep them from breeding. It can be expensive to restore the furniture, but it is worth the investment.
You should keep in mind that woodworm may do even more long-term damage to your antique furniture than gnawing. After finishing up your woodworm treatments, clean your antiques as usual.
Hopefully, by following the above-mentioned recommendations to avoid and deal with damage caused by woodworm, you will save your antique furniture from damage.
