The common furniture beetle belongs to the same family as the death watch beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum). It is widely distributed throughout the British Isles and is the most frequent cause of "woodworm" damage. Despite its common name the insect causes more damage to structural timbers and joinery than to furniture. Infestation by this insect and other wood-boring beetle is often confused with dry rot and other types of fungal decay, but can easily be distinguished by the presence of tunnels containing bore dust (frass) within the timber and circular flight (exit) holes on the surface - often referred to as worm holes. Attack by furniture beetle occurs in both sound dry timber and that which has been affected by fungal decay.

The most common method of treatment of furniture affected by the common furniture beetle is the use of liquid insecticides applied by brush or spray. This is carried out by cleaning the surfaces of the wood of all dust, dirt and removing any significant areas of friable timber and applying a coarse spray or two brush coats of insecticide, and is simple and effective.

In the case of polished or painted furniture surfaces injection is necessary since surface application would be of little value. Although a flight hole indicates the emergence of a beetle the tunnel is likely to be in close proximity to others, any of which may contain live larvae. For this reason good penetration may be achieved both laterally and longitudinally into adjacent tunnels by injection. Suitable injectors may be purchased from hardware and other shops.

Particular attention should be paid to cracks, crevices, joints, backs of drawers, the underside of chairs and similar places where varnish or polish is absent, since it is in such positions that the insect lays its eggs.

After eradication treatment flight holes may be filled with a mixture of beeswax and turpentine or other suitable filler.