How To Store Firewood & Prevent Firewood Pests

Proper Storage of Firewood Will Help Prevent Firewood Insects from Entering Your Home

Nothing’s nicer on a cold winter day than sitting in front of a roaring wood fire in the fireplace. However, since many insects feed on or find shelter in wood, you might be bringing a few unwanted firewood pests. Learning how to properly store firewood outside is critical to preventing an infestation of wood-boring insects in your home.

Follow these tips to learn the best way to store firewood, as well as how to get rid of bugs invading your firewood and home this winter.

The first thing you can do to avoid insect infestations in your firewood is to dry it quickly. The drier the wood, the less hospitable it is to most firewood insects. Proper storage of firewood is key.

Try to avoid harvesting wood between from April to October, this is when insects are most active. By cutting down trees in winter months, you will lessen the risk of bringing home infested logs. Fresh cut logs invite wood-boring insects to move in, so remove the wood from the forest as soon as possible. Cut wood into smaller logs before storing it. The more surfaces exposed to the air, the quicker the wood will cure.

Firewood should be covered to keep out moisture. Ideally, wood should be raised off the ground, too. Keep some air space under the cover and under the pile to allow air flow and quicker drying.

Never treat firewood with pesticides. The more common firewood insects, beetles, typically bore into the wood and won’t be affected by surface treatments anyway. Burning logs that have been sprayed with chemicals is a health hazard, and could expose you to toxic fumes.

Be careful about where you store your wood outdoors. If you place stacks of firewood right up against your house, you are asking for termite trouble. Also, be aware that if the firewood contains beetle larvae or adults, the beetles may emerge and head for the nearest trees – the ones in your yard.

If you follow these tips on how to store firewood outside, you should find yourself without worry. However, if your firewood brought unwanted guests to your home, schedule a cost-free inspection today!