Termite Damage in Wooden Furniture: Early Signs Indian Homes Miss

For many homeowners in India, especially in humid regions like Delhi NCR and Mumbai, wooden furniture is a prized investment. Whether it is a vintage teak cabinet or a modern plywood wardrobe, the threat of termites (locally called deemak) is constant. Unfortunately, most families only notice the infestation when the damage is severe and irreversible.

In 2026, with changing climate patterns extending the breeding season for pests, spotting the early warning signs is more important than ever. This guide covers the subtle symptoms of termite activity that are easily missed and provides actionable steps to protect your valuable woodwork before it turns to dust.

1. The "Sawdust" That Isn't Sawdust

One of the most common early signs of drywood termites—the species that infests moveable furniture—is the presence of frass. Many Indian homeowners mistake this for simple dust or sawdust from construction.

What to look for:

• Small, gritty piles of pellets accumulated underneath chairs, wardrobes, or tables.
• Unlike ordinary dust, these pellets are uniform in shape and hard.
• They may range in color from light beige to dark brown, depending on the wood they are eating.

2. Structural Changes: Swelling and Stuck Doors

In India, we often attribute stuck windows or hard-to-close wardrobe doors to the monsoon humidity. While moisture does cause wood to expand, it can also be a sign of termite activity. Termites introduce moisture into the wood as they feed, causing it to warp and swell.

If your windows or doors remain jammed even during dry seasons like the winter of 2026, inspect the frames closely. Uneven swelling or soft spots in the frame are red flags requiring immediate professional inspection.

3. The Hollow Sound Test

Termites are cryptic feeders; they eat the wood from the inside, leaving the outer layer of paint or varnish intact. This camouflage is why furniture often looks perfect until it collapses.

How to test safely:

1. Take the handle of a screwdriver or a heavy coin.
2. Gently tap along the length of the wooden surface.
3. Healthy wood sounds solid and dull (a "thud").
4. Damaged wood sounds hollow or papery.

Checklist: Monthly Furniture Inspection

Common Mistakes Indian Homeowners Make

When panic sets in, many residents resort to quick fixes that can be dangerous or counterproductive.

• Using Kerosene: Injecting kerosene or petrol into wood holes is a severe fire hazard and does not kill the colony deep inside the wood.
• Sun Drying Only: While placing furniture in harsh sunlight can help reduce moisture, it rarely kills the queen or the larvae deep in the core.
• Spraying Surface Insecticide: Standard bug sprays only kill the termites you see, not the thousands inside.

Real-World Scenario: The "Hidden" Wardrobe Infestation

Location: A 3BHK Apartment in Noida, Delhi NCR.
Situation: The Sharma family noticed a fine powder appearing daily inside a 5-year-old plyboard wardrobe. Assuming it was construction dust from a neighbor’s renovation, they simply wiped it away for three months.

Outcome: When they finally called for professional termite control in Delhi, the technician revealed the back panel was 80% destroyed. The termites had moved from the wall into the fixed furniture. Had they recognized the "frass" earlier, a simple spot treatment could have saved the unit. Instead, the entire wardrobe required dismantling and replacement.

Steps to Take If You Find Damage

If you confirm signs of termites, follow this safety-first protocol:

1. Isolate the Piece: If the furniture is movable (like a chair), take it out of the house immediately to prevent spread.
2. Do Not Spray: Spraying chemicals often causes the termites to scatter and spread to other areas of the room.
3. Check the Perimeter: For fixed furniture, check if the infestation is coming from the walls. If you are constructing a new home, consider piping reticulation systems to prevent future attacks on woodwork.
4. Call an Expert: Contact a certified pest control service to assess the extent of the damage.