Woodworms do not actually attach living trees contrary to popular belief. Their existence is symbiotic to the slow and natural deterioration of a tree. Recently, the appearance of worm holes in wood used for cabinetry and furniture construction has become so popular that some producers have actually just made them using a drill. The holes cut by a wood eating beetle are identical to those cut by a drill bit, so it is very difficult to tell the difference, and especially so if the hole has been painted. Instead, the overall integrity of the wood should be considered to determine whether the worm holes are real or are for aesthetic appeal. Also consider the fact that the worms only occupy dead trees, and thus the wood is more likely rotten.