Some ants and bees tunnel through wood creating galleries for shelter. These are not usually a problem with furniture but can be a major destructive agent in historic buildings. Protection of Wooden Objects From the comments above, you may gather that removal of one or more of the favorable growth conditions is sufficient to arrest the spread of biological deterioration. The simplest method to deter fungal and insect damage is to maintain and monitor a moderate environment. Naturally, some special objects may require other conditions, but most will do well in this range.
Wood has variable degrees of natural resistance to decay.
Over time, craftsman have selected wood for use in adverse environments, such as fence posts. Some wood lasts for years, but others would decay in one season. Wood with low resistance can be treated with preservatives. Insects and fungi show little interest in penetrating paints and varnishes to consume wood. So, those objects which are, or can be coated will be better off.