What’s Hiding in Your Firewood?
November evenings in New England are made for a cozy fire. Before you carry an armful of logs into the living room, take a closer look. Your firewood could be bringing along a few unexpected guests.
From beetles inside the wood to spiders tucked beneath loose bark, a woodpile offers plenty of places for pests to hide. A few simple storage habits can help keep those hitchhikers outside.
Who Might Be Catching a Ride?
Wood-boring beetles and carpenter ants can be found in firewood, while spiders, sowbugs, and millipedes may shelter around or under the bark. Once the logs come inside, warmer temperatures can cause insects to become active and emerge from the wood. That can explain a surprise bug sighting near the fireplace or a nearby window.
Finding a pest on a log does not automatically mean your home is infested. Many firewood insects cannot establish themselves in the dry wood inside a home. However, identifying what you’re seeing is the best way to determine whether there’s a larger concern.
Store Your Firewood With Pests in Mind
A pile stacked against the house may be convenient, but it puts pest shelter right beside your home. Keep firewood outdoors, away from the house and garage, and elevated off the ground on a rack or suitable supports.
Before carrying logs inside, inspect them for visible insects and brush off any hitchhikers. Bring in only what you plan to burn soon. Keeping a large indoor supply gives hidden insects more time to warm up and emerge.
Should You Spray Firewood for Bugs?
Do not treat firewood with insecticides. Spraying is not an appropriate solution for wood intended to be burned. Focus on proper storage, inspection, and limiting how long logs sit indoors.
When to Call The Good Guys
An occasional hitchhiker may only need to be swept or vacuumed up. If you continue finding insects after the firewood is gone, or notice activity elsewhere in your home, it’s time to have the pest identified and its source investigated.
American Pest Solutions helps homeowners throughout Western Massachusetts and Connecticut address pest concerns. If your cozy evening comes with unexpected company, contact The Good Guys today!