Bug Bites: Unwanted Visitors That Are Lurking in Your Firewood

With the cool temperatures of fall upon us, the wood burning season has started. During the fall and winter months, many people find their homes invaded by unwanted insects. Many of these insect pests were living or hibernating in the firewood. Usually, there is no real damage associated with these insects in firewood. They are a nuisance rather than being destructive.

Firewood stacked in the home ready for use can harbor many types of insects. Several different types of beetles, carpenter ants, wasps, spiders and other insects will overwinter in wood. Firewood brought indoors and stored for several days becomes warm. The warm temperatures awaken the insects from their hibernation. The insect thinks it is springtime and leaves the wood and wanders aimlessly about the house. Often these insects can be found migrating to sunlit windows.

Never treat firewood with pesticides to control insects that are hiding in firewood. Firewood insecticide treatments are not effective to control insects. Burning treated firewood could result in a potential health hazard. This potential health hazard would be due to the toxic chemical fumes released into the living space burning the wood.

Proper cutting and storage can reduce firewood insect pests. Cutting firewood the right time of the year will help in avoiding insect pests problems. After cutting logs, pile them as soon as possible. The pile of logs should be off the ground and under cover. This will allow the inner bark to dry rapidly and thoroughly before insects become active in the spring.

The greater the surface area of wood exposed to air, the more rapid the wood will dry. Stacking wood in loose piles raised off the ground plus splitting or sawing will accelerate drying. You should split any round pieces of firewood that are greater than eight inches in diameter. Saw firewood to a length that will fit the fireplace or woodstove.

Stack firewood at least 25–50 feet away from the house. Bring on two or three days supply of firewood into the home at a time. These steps will help to prevent insect problems from occurring in and around the home.

Place firewood in a sheltered open storage area to help prevent decaying of the wood. A storage place might be a woodshed, an unheated garage, utility building or outdoors under temporary cover.

If storing the firewood outdoors, put a cover over the top tier of stacked wood. Leave air spaces and sides of the stacked wood open to increase ventilation. Consider using plastic sheeting to cover the top of the firewood stack. Temperatures under the plastic covering will rise higher than the outside, warming the wood and evaporating moisture. Water vapor escapes by having good ventilation through the sides of the woodpile.

If wood is dried properly, few insects are likely to survive. Drying firewood is a long process, taking almost a year. Firewood that is ready to burn will contain twelve to twenty per cent moisture.

Homeowners should never use chemicals or pesticides on firewood because that may cause a problem when burned. With proper firewood storage outdoors, the insects in the wood can be kept in check.

 

Winter 2000
Christmas Tree Selection Time Again | Gifts for Gardeners | Holiday Season Pet Hazards | Prepare Your Garden For Winter | All America Vegetable Selections 2001 | Lawn Care Calendar | Bug Bites: Unwanted Visitors That Are Lurking In Your Firewood | Cybergarden Sites | Hort Tips | Hort Shorts | Garlic's Benefits Attract Researchers | Cranberries | Let the Buyer Beware | Roasting Chestnuts | Health and Household Tips | Did You Know?

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