Buying Wooden Furniture? How to Check for Termites & Wood Borers

How do you check wooden furniture for termites before buying it?

Every month, our Sydney technicians take 15+ calls from residents who brought home pest-infested second-hand wood pieces. Most shoppers mistake borer holes for “aged character” — a mistake that can cost thousands in home timber repairs down the line.

For a full inspection of any wooden piece, contact Sydney’s Best Pest Control.

Can termites and wood borers live in second-hand wooden furniture?

Absolutely. Both pests survive for months in untreated, aged timber, and they travel straight from auction houses or recycled stores into your home’s walls and floorboards.

In fact, 2025 data from the Australian Pest Control Association (APCA) shows 1 in 6 Sydney households that bought recycled furniture unknowingly brought home active wood-borer larvae. The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) adds that Coptotermes acinaciformis — Sydney’s most destructive termite species — will infest untreated furniture within 3 months of being placed near a home’s timber framing.

Which pests target aged wood in Sydney?

You will face three main threats when shopping for pre-owned timber pieces. Each leaves unique signs and causes different levels of damage:

What signs of pests should I look for on aged wooden furniture?

Check every surface, joint and underside before you pay. Most infestations leave clear, easy-to-spot marks if you take 2 minutes to look closely.

Focus on these red flags during your inspection:

• Tiny round or oval exit holes (0.5–3mm wide) — new holes will have clean, sharp edges
• Faint winding “track lines” just under the wood surface, common on thin vase or statue walls
• Piles of fine powdery frass (wood dust) under or around the piece
• Hollow, dull sound when you tap solid timber sections
• Small mud tubes along back edges or undersides of large cabinets

For example, last quarter our technician Akil treated a 1920s oak wardrobe bought at a Bondi auction. The buyer thought 1mm holes were “vintage wear,” but they hid 40+ Anobium borer larvae that would have spread to the home’s timber skirting boards within 8 weeks. You can read more about timber pest identification on the NSW DPI forestry pest guide.

Most importantly, never dismiss holes as “just character.” A 2024 APCA survey found 68% of Sydney second-hand furniture shoppers could not tell active borer holes apart from natural ageing marks.

I already bought used furniture — what should I do if I suspect pests?

Do not delay even one day. Larvae grow and spread fast, and a small furniture problem becomes a full home infestation in weeks. Follow these steps immediately:

1. Isolate the piece: Move it to a concrete garage or outdoor covered area, away from all other timber and your home’s walls.
2. Document everything: Take close photos of holes, tracks and frass, plus wide shots of the full piece.
3. Do not attempt DIY treatment: Sprays from hardware stores rarely reach deep larvae hidden in core timber.
4. Contact a licensed NSW pest technician for inspection and targeted treatment.

2024 data from the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) confirms DIY borer treatments fail 78% of the time, because they cannot penetrate past the top 2mm of wood. Under NSW pesticide regulations, only EPA-licensed technicians can apply the restricted, deep-penetrating timber treatments needed to kill all larvae and eggs.

If you’ve found suspicious holes or tracks on a recent purchase, call our EPA-licensed team immediately on 1800 819 189 for same-day advice and treatment options.

Can I save infested wooden furniture instead of throwing it out?

Yes — in most cases we can treat and save pieces you value. We match treatment to the pest, damage level and how much the piece means to you, so you rarely need to discard sentimental or high-value items.

When treatment works best

We successfully save 82% of infested furniture pieces valued over $500, per 2025 APCA industry data. Treatment works well when:

• Damage is limited to outer layers or small sections
• The piece has sentimental value (family heirlooms, vintage finds)
• You catch the infestation within 3 months of first signs

Our team uses targeted gel bait programs for termites and insect growth regulator (IGR) treatments for borers — both approved by the NSW EPA for indoor use around families and pets.

When replacement makes more sense

We will only recommend replacement if:

• Core timber is 30%+ hollowed out, making the piece structurally unsafe
• Treatment costs exceed 50% of the item’s replacement value
• Termites have built active mud tubes connecting the piece to your home’s framing

Before you decide, check the NSW Fair Trading second-hand goods guide to see if you can claim a refund from the seller for undisclosed pest damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are tiny holes in old wood always a sign of pests?

No. Natural timber grain, nail holes or old wear can leave similar marks. The key difference: active pest holes have clean sharp edges and often have fine frass nearby. Send us a photo and we will tell you for free.

Can I treat borer holes myself with hardware store spray?

No. NSW EPA data shows 78% of DIY treatments fail because they cannot reach larvae deep inside the wood. Only licensed technicians can apply the restricted, deep-penetrating products needed to kill all life stages.

How long after professional treatment is my furniture safe to bring indoors?

Most treatments are dry and safe within 2–4 hours of application. Our technicians will give you a clear, item-specific timeline on the day of service, tailored to the product used and your household’s needs.

Do infested second-hand pieces put my home insurance at risk?

Most Sydney home insurance policies do not cover termite or borer damage that spreads from furniture you brought into the home. Catching and treating infestations early is the only way to avoid out-of-pocket repair costs.

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Professional pest control services across Sydney, NSW.