If you’ve found small holes in your wooden furniture or noticed what looks like sawdust around it, you’re likely dealing with a furniture beetle infestation. These bugs, especially the common furniture beetle, are a big problem in Louisiana homes.
This guide will show you how to spot signs of furniture beetles, how to get rid of them, and when it’s best to call a professional pest control company.
Key Takeaways
• Furniture beetles lay eggs in wood, and the larvae feed inside until they chew out as adult beetles.
• Lowering moisture, isolating infested wood, and using borate treatments are important for stopping early-stage infestations.
• Heat and cold methods work on small items, but structural damage or antiques need professional beetle treatment.
• Fresh frass or exit holes that return are clear signs it’s time to call a pest control company.
What Are Furniture Beetles?
Before you can treat an infestation, you need to understand what you’re dealing with. Furniture beetles are a type of woodworm. They lay eggs in wood, especially in places like cracks and crevices.
Once the eggs hatch, the beetle larvae burrow into the wood. There, they feed and grow for years. This is where most of the damage happens. When they turn into adults, these dark brown beetles chew their way out, leaving small round exit holes and piles of frass, tiny bits of waste that look like powder.
These wood-boring insects can infest both hardwoods and softwoods. You might also hear about other types of beetles, like deathwatch beetles, longhorn beetles, and powder post beetles. Each kind targets different wood surfaces.
Lower the Moisture Content in the Wood
Beetle larvae feed best in damp wood.
To slow them down, lower the moisture content around your home. Use dehumidifiers and fix any leaks. Good airflow helps too. Keep crawl spaces dry, and don’t store wood directly on concrete or dirt.
Find and Isolate Infested Wood
Look for frass, exit holes, or damaged spots on your furniture and in your home. Infested wood may also feel weaker or crumbly.
If you find signs, move the piece of furniture away from others. This helps stop the beetles from spreading.
Use Borate Treatments
Borate products like Tim-bor and Boracare work well on wood-boring beetles. These treatments soak into the wood and kill beetle larvae before they can pupate and become adult beetles.
Apply them to bare or untreated wood, especially in places where beetles might lay eggs.
Try Heat or Cold Methods
Furniture beetles can’t survive extreme temperatures. You can freeze smaller items for a few weeks. High heat can kill furniture beetles, but the wood has to get hot enough.
The inside of the wood must reach at least 130°F. That usually works, but one study found a few beetles still survived at that temperature. When the inside hit 140°F for 30 minutes, none of the beetles made it. So, higher heat works better.
Be careful, though. Some types of wood or varnish can get damaged if they get too hot.
If you’re not sure how your furniture will hold up or what beetle you’re dealing with, it’s a good idea to call a pest control expert first.
When DIY Treatments Fail
If you’ve been trying to handle the issue yourself but things keep getting worse, here’s when to stop the DIY and bring in a pest control expert:
You’re Still Seeing Exit Holes
If new holes keep showing up, it means beetles are still coming out of the wood. This points to active larvae feeding inside.
It’s time to call a pest control service to stop the cycle.
You Keep Finding Fresh Frass
Frass often looks like sawdust. If you’re cleaning it up and it keeps coming back, you probably have an ongoing furniture beetle infestation.
A professional can find hidden infested wood and apply a stronger beetle treatment.
You’re Dealing With Valuable Wooden Furniture
Antique or varnished wooden furniture should be treated with care. The wrong DIY method could ruin it. A professional pest control company knows how to treat the wood while protecting the piece.
The Beetles Have Reached Your Home’s Structure
If the beetles spread to your home’s structural timbers, like support beams or floorboards, it’s more than just a small bug problem. Reinfestation could weaken your home over time, similar to the damage caused by termites.
This kind of job needs a trained exterminator.
Get Professional Help With Furniture Beetles in Louisiana
If the infestation is severe or in your home’s structure, professional pest control is the safest option. Fumigation can wipe out all stages of the beetle life cycle.
At LaJaunie’s Pest Control, we know how to handle wood boring beetles.
We treat carpet beetles, powder post beetles, and all types of beetle larvae that feed on your home’s wood. Whether it’s a piece of furniture or your attic beams, we’ll find the best way to protect them.
Our team works fast, offers same-day and weekend service, and stands by our retreat guarantee. Whether you’re in Houma, Baton Rouge, or Thibodaux, we’re ready to help.
Reach out to us today for a free inspection.
We’ll stop the beetle infestation before the eggs hatch again.
