Wood Borers in Dining Tables and Chairs

A dining table or a set of wooden chairs is often the most-used and most-loved furniture in a home. Finding tiny holes and powder near the legs or under the tabletop is therefore upsetting, and raises questions about food safety and how to treat furniture where people eat.

This guide explains the signs, the safety points and the treatment.

The short answer

Wood borers can attack dining tables and chairs, particularly legs, rails, frames and the underside of tabletops, which are rarely seen. Signs are tiny round exit holes, fine powder beneath, hollow or crumbling wood and wobbling joints. Chairs can fail suddenly if legs or rails are weakened, which is a safety risk. Treatment should be done by professionals with products suited to furniture used around food, treating hidden faces and joints, with the table not used for meals until ventilated and safe. Keep food, plates and cutlery away during treatment, and repair or replace weakened parts.

Where to look

1. Underside of the tabletop and the frame.
2. Table legs, especially near the floor and joints.
3. Chair legs, rails, stretchers and back posts.
4. Joints, where parts meet.
5. Carved or decorative areas.

Signs

• Tiny round holes in wood.
• Fine powder on the floor or on seats.
• Wobbling or creaking chairs and tables.
• Hollow or soft spots when tapped or probed.

Safety

• Structure: Weakened chair legs can break under load. Do not use damaged chairs until checked.
• Food areas: Treatment chemicals should not contact food surfaces. Use professional products and follow re-use advice.
• Children and pets: Keep them away from treated furniture until dry and aired.

What to do

1. Inspect all pieces, including the underside, using a torch.
2. Photograph signs and isolate infested pieces from other wood.
3. Call a professional for identification and treatment.
4. Treatment usually involves injection into holes and surface treatment, with hidden faces included.
5. Remove table linens, food and tableware before treatment, and wash surfaces and items that may have been exposed before use, as advised.
6. Repair or replace weakened parts, fill holes, and refinish with a suitable polish.

Finishing and protection

• A good polish or sealant, applied to all faces, helps protect against future infestation, though it does not cure existing larvae.
• Choose finishes suited to dining surfaces.

Prevention

• Keep furniture away from damp walls and leaks.
• Keep humidity under control.
• Inspect undersides and legs a couple of times a year.
• Check second-hand tables and chairs before buying.

When to call a professional

If you find holes and powder, a professional can treat safely and advise on food-area precautions.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to eat at a treated table?

Follow the provider's advice on drying, ventilation and cleaning.

Can I use food-safe oil as protection?

It may protect the surface but does not kill larvae.

Do chairs need replacing?

Only if severely damaged.

Can borers spread to other furniture?

Yes, so isolate and treat promptly.

This guide is part of IPest's complete resource on wood borer control. For identification help, prevention and treatment options, see our full wood borer treatment guide for Bangalore.