Custom furniture is increasingly popular in homes and apartments as it makes better use of spaces and offers a personalized finish. But a common question among homeowners is: does custom furniture attract termites? The answer is more complex than it seems. According to pest control experts, furniture does not attract termites by itself, but can serve as food and shelter if an infestation already exists nearby. Termites in custom furniture Disclosure According to Assis, specialist at Cupins SP, it is important to understand that termites do not appear spontaneously inside furniture. "Many people believe that custom furniture attracts termites, but what happens is that wood and its derivatives can become a source of food when there is an active colony nearby. The problem usually starts before it appears on the furniture", he explains. Can MDF, MDP and solid wood be attacked? Yes. Although modern custom furniture is produced with industrialized materials, such as MDF and MDP, they still contain components derived from wood and can be attacked by certain species of termites. Furthermore, parts such as baseboards, cabinet bottoms, doors, frames and finishes are often vulnerable points. The risk increases when furniture is located in places with excessive humidity or close to already infested areas. Why do termites like furniture? The main source of food for termites is cellulose, a substance present in wood and various derived materials. Termites in custom furniture Disclosure Therefore, cabinets, shelves, panels, closets and custom kitchens can become targets when there is a colony installed in the residence. The big problem is that insects tend to act silently. They attack the internal part of the material and often leave the surface apparently intact, making it difficult to identify the problem. What are the first signs of infestation? Among the most common signs are: Small holes on the surface of the furniture; Accumulation of dust similar to sawdust; Wood hollow to the touch; Doors or drawers that start to warp; Presence of termite wings close to furniture; Appearance of tunnels or dirt paths in walls and baseboards. When noticing any of these signs, the ideal is to seek a specialized evaluation. Can apartments also have termites? Yes. Many people only associate termites with single-story houses, but apartments can also suffer from infestations. Termites in custom furniture Disclosure Insects can arrive through contaminated furniture, wooden structures, cardboard boxes, doors, ceilings and even common areas of the condominium. According to Assis, it is common to find cases in which the infestation begins in a specific point and gradually spreads to other environments. "We have already served apartments where termites were hidden behind panels, inside cabinets or in wooden structures that looked perfect from the outside. Preventive monitoring makes all the difference", he says. How to protect custom furniture? Some measures help reduce risks: Avoid excess humidity in environments; Carry out periodic inspections of cabinets and panels; Observe the appearance of termite wings after flights; Do not place furniture directly against walls with signs of infiltration; Carry out preventive assessments on older properties. Fun fact: a piece of furniture can hide thousands of termites. A single colony can bring together hundreds of thousands or even millions of individuals, depending on the species. Because they work internally and avoid light, termites can remain hidden for months or years before damage becomes visible. Termites SP Disclosure Therefore, experts warn that prevention continues to be the best strategy to protect custom furniture and avoid greater damage. After all, when the problem appears on the surface, the colony has often already been in place for a long time. To find out more Cupins SP has the best solutions to eliminate termites. “We know that the damage that termites leave can be irreversible, such as: rotting of wood, formation of nests in apartment conduits, total loss of documents and even short circuits”, says the company's official website. Termite Removal, Termite Pest Control and Help to Eliminate Termites? Call via WhatsApp: (11) 97627-2887 and (12) 98822-1971. Access Instagram Cupins SP.