Avoiding Pest Infestation From Firewood

San Jose, United States – /Habitat Pest Control/

Even in this era of modern conveniences, a crackling fire has the warmth of nostalgia. A wood fireplace lends a rustic charm to a home and is also a heat source. Some pests can gain entry into homes along with firewood brought in for fires. 

While some pests may not be harmful, they can be a nuisance, spoil the ambiance, and a few might become pest infestations. Pests like termites will require professional pest control. Habitat Pest Control in San Jose, CA, provides residential and commercial pest control, including termite extermination. These pest control professionals share how to avoid firewood pests indoors.

Firewood pests

Wood-boring beetles

Beetles that inhabit and feed on the wood are wood-boring beetles. They include long-horned beetles, metallic wood-boring beetles, and bark beetles.

Carpenter ants

These are giant black ants that build nests in wood, but they do not feed on wood. They usually nest in damp or rotting wood. So if firewood is not dry or is left on the ground for long, carpenter ants may start living in it.

Termites

Termites make tunnels and feed on firewood. They appear similar to ants but are whitish.

Others

Other insects and bugs like spiders, cockroaches, pillbugs, praying mantises, wasps, and ants may remain in firewood piles.

Dealing with firewood pests

When the firewood is in a warm indoor environment, insects can emerge from the firewood. They are usually not harmful as the wood in homes is too dry for them to live in or feed on. But these creatures can be a nuisance. When noticed, they can be caught and left outdoors. It is not safe to spray pesticides on firewood. When burned, the chemicals in treated firewood may release toxic fumes.

How to prevent firewood pests

• Keep firewood dry, as bugs do not prefer to live in dry wood. Always store firewood off the ground to allow adequate airflow under the woodpile. It helps to reduce the moisture in a pile.
• Never store firewood near trees as bugs like bark beetles from the firewood can invade trees and damage them.
• Make sure to use older wood first rather than newly cut wood. This practice prevents the buildup of wood for a long. More pests tend to end up in wood left unmoved for a long time.
• Keeping a cover over new cut wood and placing it in sunny spots will help keep bugs away.
• Firewood must never be stored indoors as the wood piles attract other household pests like rodents.
• Do not stack firewood against the home, garage, shed, etc.; it must always be kept at least three feet away from structures. This helps to dry out the wood faster and will also help prevent the entry of firewood pests into the buildings.
• It is better to use locally sourced firewood as it will not have insects from other areas in them. When firewood from other places is stored, the pests from those areas gain entry to this locality, damaging trees and affecting the ecosystem. It is better to use local firewood on camping trips rather than carry it from home for the same reason.

While firewood may not always bring in harmful pests, it can have pests that are a nuisance. Firewood must be stored to reduce the risk of dangerous creatures using it as a shelter. Homeowners can avail of pest control services for household pests when needed. Habitat Pest Control provides commercial and residential pest control in San Jose. For pest control services that utilize eco-exempt products, they can be contacted. For prompt, same-day pest control service in San Jose and the Bay Area, call Habitat Pest Control at (408) 922-9898.