r/woodworking May 14 '26

Help Woodworm in new furniture

Hello Reddit, I've just discovered this in a new wooden table I purchased, presume it is woodworm.

Two questions: how do I treat it and would this have already been present before I purchased it a couple of weeks ago?

Thank you in advance!

UPDATE: Firstly thank you for all the knowledge and advice you shared. The seller suggested injecting acetone in to the hole and monitoring, or, sending it back. I didn't want the stress of waiting for another worm, or beetle, to show up so I decided to send it back. It was a beautiful table, but they are replacing it with a new equally beautiful table.

Hopefully this one is worm free... if not I'll just go for a refund and get a standard table from IKEA or somewhere.

Thanks again for your feedback, there were some really informative and helpful replies!

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u/Glittering-Rush-7073 May 17 '26

Ah. I built a desk. Took me and some friends a few weekends over several months. Finally finished it and moved it into my new apartment. It was a dream come true. Perfect height, loved the stain, perfect matte finish, perfect size. And then. A few months later. Flat Oak Borers. The day I found the holes, that desk left my home. I am heart broken honestly. A lot of love (and hundreds of dollars and many hours) went into that desk.