[brenellic2000]

Re Kevin's comment "a few months ago" (and Barry's concern) - that would be April-May about the time the adult beetles first start to break surface and fly off, leaving behind the tell-tale frass (gritty dust). That is possibly why the radio was sold!

That is only time that applying woodworm killer to the area (preferably soaking) has any immediate and real effect. The activity may last until August.

At the first sign of the tell tale dust give the timber a good thumping with a rubber mallet to dislodge dust and allow better penetration, but it won't dislodge or kill beetles about to emerge as the wood-worm killer is unlikely to penetrate the thin outer layer unless steeped.

As has been said above by those of us long working in it timber-trades, wood-worm killers are sold mostly on the basis of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted for the simple reason it is impossible to tell where and when an attack will take place.

You can pre-treat timber before use to prevent attack in interior furniture but it is not in the interests of the woodworker to breathe in treated wood dust, nor is it cost effective for manufacturers and buyers for indoor furniture, which is kept dry! The problem comes with buying second-hand furniture or not mending leaky roofs!

But there is caveat! Many British hardwoods used in furniture tend not to become suseptible to attack until 60-80 odd years old by when the timber is age hardening... it's a mystery why this is so! The furniture beetle can and will attack even in a 'dry' house, so be be vigilent of dirt-traps!

If you're worried about the chemicals - usually a nerve agent - and it is a very genuine and honest concern - nature does have a solution: pure turpentine. Its not gauranteed to kill but it discourages the beetle from laying its eggs (a bit like creosoted string warding off runny babbits on allotments).
Barry