This is interesting….
I have just returned from assessing a piece of furniture for evidence of fresh woodworm infestation ( in this case common furniture beetle or possibly death watch beetle).
An occasional and very interesting part of my work.
I would normally receive a phone call from a very worried storage facility manager when an item of stored furniture has either started clicking ( a good indicator of beetle activity) or turned to dust and collapsed ( a sign of very heavy and aggressive attack by beetle or decay).
I have also inspected when
Valuable pieces of furniture with holes consistent with beetle emergence are being purchased to check that no active beetle infestation is being introduced in to a home.
Recently I acted for a householders forum when new kitchen doors and frames had begun to exhibit signs of fresh beetle activity ( fresh holes and dust with beetle emergence.)
With regard to the first item, I can’t recommend much for collapsed furniture except burn it safely outside and clean the entire area for beetle and eggs.
Common furniture beetle can attack items of furniture only if a suitable site ( a minute cracking or crevice) at an appropriate moisture content can be identified by the flying beetle, normally however it would have been present and concealed during the production stage of the furniture and emerging post production.
If ANY SIGNS of infestation are present I would also strongly recommend caution. Activity levels can only be assessed by an EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL
Suspect items should always be checked and a written report should be produced by a specialist confirming findings. If any doubt exists, do not purchase the furniture.
Avoid buying furniture abroad and shipping home unless the supply chain is transparent.
I have seen very old furniture, particularly pianos collapse into piles of dust with active grubs causing a great deal of disturbance and distress.
With respect to the kitchen doors and frames. the kitchen company that sold them to my clients were completely liable. After a very short meeting on site they agreed to remove every trace of the kitchens to replace them.
The furniture that I looked at today?
The woodworm holes were fake. A decorative finish, the holes had been made from the outside with a punch. No treatment needed there!