Furniture woodworms are insects that attack wood; to be precise, the ones that ruin furniture are the woodworm larvae that, in order to grow, feed on the wood in which they feel wonderfully at home. During the mating season, woodworms make exit holes in the wood of about a millimeter in diameter, to allow the females to lay their eggs.
After about two weeks, the larvae come out and dig tunnels in the wood, grow bigger and after another 15 days they become adult insects. Behind them they leave long tunnels, now empty and well dug, which represent a serious danger for the longevity of the furniture.Woodworms can be noticed by the presence of holes and cones of whitish dust that we find on the surfaces underneath the furniture. In this regard, we will show you how to eliminate woodworms effectively thanks to home remedies.
What are the conditions that favor the establishment of woodworms?
- When humidity reaches or exceeds 50%: if humidity is lower the larva may die from drying out.
- The optimal temperature for larvae is around 22°-23°: some larvae can however resist lower temperatures.
How to eliminate woodworms, the procedure
Make sure the infection is active and the woodworms are alive inside it, before applying any product on the furniture: if the holes have a yellowish powder, it means that the woodworms are currently eating the wood. If you find only the holes of dark color, it means that the woodworms are no longer active.
- Before starting any treatment, clean the wood thoroughly, concentrating especially on the corners and edges as this is where the larvae most often act.
- Equip yourself with an anti-woodworm product, beeswax and elbow grease: products available in any supermarket
- Apply the anti-woodworm liquid into the holes, also using a syringe to help the product penetrate.
- Wrap the furniture with transparent cellophane which you will remove after 10 days
- Cover the holes with colored wax of the same shade as the furniture.
- Apply elbow grease and beeswax to make the furniture uniform and shiny.
How to eliminate woodworms, natural remedies
There are also solutions based on natural elements that when mixed together are effective against woodworms. For example, Japanese cedar essential oil mixed with water and vodka.
How to eliminate woodworms , prevention
- Arrange small pieces of sanded cypress wood in the furniture
- Use cotton balls soaked in a mixture of white vinegar, water and lavender oil.
If the infection hits the structure of the house harder, especially if the woodworms enter the wooden beams, we recommend that you seek professional help.
