How to diagnose and treat wood dust from furniture?

Question

I noticed a small amount of wood dust months ago but didn't think much of it. It has considerably gotten worse and so I decided to google. And am now thinking this is some sort of beetle/wood borer problem. Is anyone able to help? What DIY treatment is best for this?

JacobZ · Answer

Hi @MollyR,

Unfortunately, I am unaware of a less potent alternative that would eradicate wood borers.

If you are not comfortable doing the work yourself, it might be worth contacting a pest control specialist for their assistance.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

MollyR · Answer

Hello @MitchellMc ,

Thanks for your response - is there anything less potent and dangerous I can use?

I don't have the gear that it says to wear or a 10L spray bottle.

Appreciate if you could let me know if there are any other options.

MitchellMc · Answer

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @MollyR. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about treating wood borer.

I’d have to agree with your suspicion—it sounds like you’re dealing with a wood-borer problem, and the presence of frass (wood dust) confirms it’s a serious issue. A good DIY treatment is to take the affected furniture outside and spray the timber with David Grays 500ml Ant and Termite Spray. You can mix it with either water or oil, but to avoid staining your furniture, it’s best to use water. Be sure to test a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn't discolour the wood. Also, remember to follow all the safety guidelines on the product, and make sure to leave the furniture outside to air out before bringing it back indoors, as the spray has a strong odour.

If this is a recent purchase, I’d recommend returning it to the supplier. If it was bought from us, I’d be happy to help facilitate the return.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell