Do you have a woodpile in your yard? Wood piles provide many benefits, including storage, insulation, and wildlife habitat. However, did you know that firewood piles can also attract bugs, beetles, termites, insects, mice, rats & other pests? In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to reduce the risk of pest problems with your firewood pile. We’ll also provide tips for storing firewood correctly to keep it as bug-free as possible.
Pest Found in Stored Firewood
Termites, beetles, weevils, and various other wood-boring beetles and carpenter ants are all possible unwanted guests when it comes to stored firewood. While these pests can infest your home, they can also invade your stored woodpile, which begs the question: how do I tell if my stored firewood is infested? Let’s explore what you need to know about stored firewood pests!
Termites and Powderpost Beetles
Termites and powderpost beetles can cause structural damage to your home and potentially be a health issue (e.g., termite infestations may trigger asthma attacks in people with allergies or breathing conditions) when they infest your stored firewood.
There are about 2,000 species of termites and an untold number of powderpost beetles throughout the world. The good news: not all termites and powderpost beetles attack wood that’s been dried for more than six months. The bad news: both groups of pests can infest new or seasoned firewood.
Termites are more likely to infest wood that has been in contact with the ground, such as a pile of firewood next to your home. Powderpost beetles are more likely to infest wood that is still green or semi-green. You can tell if the wood is infested with termites or powderpost beetles by the presence of small holes in the wood and/or evidence of frass (termite droppings) or powder (beetle droppings).
Beetles, Weevils, and Carpenter Ants
Other pests that may infest your stored firewood include beetles, weevils, and carpenter ants. While these pests are not as destructive as termites or powderpost beetles, they can still cause problems. Here’s what you need to know about these pests:
Beetles – A variety of beetles may infest your firewood, including common furniture and drugstore beetles, as well as bark and powderpost beetles. The good news: not all species will attack seasoned firewood. The bad news: some species do attack seasoned firewood, including common furniture and drugstore beetles, as well as bark and powderpost beetles.
Weevils – Firewood stored in piles may be attacked by weevils (also called snout beetles), which are about the size of a grain of rice. The good news: not all species will attack seasoned firewood. The bad news: all species will attack freshly cut green firewood.
Carpenter ants – Carpenter ants are more likely to infest firewood that is still in contact with the ground. Still, it’s also possible for them to infest woodpiles with excess moisture that has been covered with plastic carpeting or tarps. The good news: carpenter ants are not known to bring firewood indoors. The bad news: some species of carpenter ants will chew on the wood, leaving tiny holes that look similar to termite damage.
Stored firewood can be an excellent resource for keeping your home warm during the winter, but it’s essential to be aware of the pests that may infest the wood. Knowing what to look for can help protect your home from potential damage and keep your family healthy.
Why Pest Attracted to Firewood?
Usually, stored wood is attractive to pests because it provides more shelter. Therefore, the pests are more likely to nest in the stored wood. In addition, stored firewood is appealing to some pests because they find it easier to hide there. There are not many other places where they can go. The pests are attracted to the stored wood because it offers a protective place for them.
A pest may also be attracted to your firewood because it smells yummy to them. Pests can sense and smell things we cannot, so they tend to find food sources around us without knowing what the food source is. It usually smells that attract them to an area and not sight. They can smell your firewood from a distance, and they will be attracted to your woodpile.
Pests love wood because it offers a cozy place for them to live, nest, and breed. Generally, pests stay in the same spot all the time. This makes wood storage homes ideal for them. They can build their nests and lay their eggs in the cracks and crevices of the wood. Once they have found a good spot, they will continue to use it until the food runs out or is disturbed.
How to Prevent & Get Rid of Pests in Firewood
Pests can be a big problem for those who store their firewood outdoors, as they can damage your wood and attract unwanted animals such as mice or snakes that may live inside the stack. To avoid this, it’s best to make sure you properly clean and dry your wood before storing it and to buy kiln-dried firewood if possible. Certain chemicals like Boracare Fire Ant Killer are also available, which will make sure no pest will ever come back!
Here are a few ways to take care of those pesky pests.
5 Simple Ways To Repel Firewood Pests
1) Acorns and Cucumber peels – These can be used as a barrier between your woodpile and the ground. Toss a handful of acorn or cucumber on your woodpile. The ants will not cross the peel, and you will be pest-free!
2) Vinegar – You can use vinegar to keep ants away from your woodpile. Just pour a little on the ground around your wood, and they will go elsewhere.
3) Lemon juice – Like vinegar, lemon juice can also be used as a deterrent for ants. Citrus smells are not appealing to most insects.
4) Soap – A little bit of soap can go a long way in getting rid of bugs. Mix a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid with water and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the insects, and they will die.
5) Peppermint oil – A natural insecticide and can be used to keep most bugs away from your woodpile. Just add a few drops of oil to some water and spray away!