Which pest is known for attacking furniture and books?

The Deathwatch beetle is particularly known for its damage to wood and is notorious for attacking furniture and books. These beetles typically infest seasoned hardwood and are often found in structural wood, including beams, and in wood products such as furniture and books. The larvae create hollow galleries within the wood, which can lead to significant structural damage.

Their name derives from the ticking noise made by the adult males when they knock their heads against the wood, which is thought to be an appeal to potential mates. This unique behavior and the specific types of wood they damage set the Deathwatch beetle apart from other pests.

The other options, while also harmful to wood or structures, do not specifically focus on furniture and books in the same way. For instance, the True powder post beetle primarily targets hardwood and can infest items like flooring and structural timber, but is less commonly associated with furniture and books. The Lead cable borer mainly affects electrical cables, making it less relevant in the context of furniture and books. Subterranean termites are notorious for causing damage to wooden structures and may affect furniture indirectly, but they are more commonly associated with large infested areas and do not specifically target books or furniture as their primary source of attack.