A worm hole is a small hole made by woodworms found in furniture and other woodwork. A worm hole is is actually created by beetles, often the furniture beetle, rather than worms. The death watch beetle, longhorn beetle, and powder-post beetle are other species that make worm holes in furniture.
What does a Furniture Worm Hole Look Like?
Worm holes can appear in any type of wooden furniture. Woods most susceptible to worm holes are cherry, spruce, beech, birch, and alder.
Watch out for these signs to see if woodworm is present in your furniture.
- Small borings on the outer surface of the furniture.
- Frass buildup on and around the furniture.
- Remains of dead woodworm around the furniture.
How Treat Furniture Worm Hole?
Here are simple solutions to worm holes in your furniture.
- Heating the furniture with worm hole. Follow this by injecting woodworm oil into the worm holes.
- Applying insecticide onto the affected furniture.
- Using a mixture of vinegar and all-purpose cleaner on the infected areas of the furniture.
The worm holes should then be filled with wood fillers, beeswax, or putty to seal them. This will help discover potential woodworm infestations while restoring the appearance of your furniture.
It is recommended to place the damaged furniture piece far away from other furniture to prevent spreading the worm hole infestation. Make sure that enclosed spaces are properly ventilated. Keep an eye on moisture levels in your home.
Worm Hole Trend in Furniture?
There has been a rising trend of having worm holes on furniture. Worm holes are created in furniture during the distressing process to give it an antique appearance.
Here are techniques for making artificial worm holes in furniture.
- Driving a finishing nail into the furniture and then pulling it out.
- Power drilling with a 1/16-inch bit.
- Striking the furniture with an ice pick.
Other features of distressing on furniture include cracked paint, chips, dents, gouges, and scratches.
