Invasive Species in Your Firewood

Winter calls for cozy fires. Unfortunately, insects can piggyback onto the firewood and hitch a ride into your house, starting an infestation. You can have your crackling fire and keep your home pest-free. It just takes some knowledge and preparation.

What Insects Hide in Firewood?

Many species of beetles hide under bark and inside wood. Beetle larvae in firewood can emerge up to two years after the wood was cut. The NY State Department of the Environment’s page on safe firewood use mentions the Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer and brown spruce longhorned beetle as just three of the many beetle species that can be an issue.

• Millipedes commonly live in mulch, leaves and wood chips. They can also hide in woodpiles, especially ones that are uncovered, damp or wet.
• Carpenter Bees can nest in dry firewood.
• Centipedes like moist, dark hiding places such as in organic matter like leaves, mulch, and wet woodpiles. If they hitch a ride into your home on firewood they’ll move as quickly as possible to damp areas like bathrooms and basements.
• Termites can build colonies in the ground but will often feed on nearby woodpiles that are wet.

How to Keep Insects Out of Firewood

Using the right practices can prevent an insect infestation through firewood. Just follow these do’s and don’ts.

Stack firewood off the ground

That makes it harder for insects to crawl onto the firewood, and it allows better air space for the firewood to dry. Also, termites often feed on wood laying on the ground.

Keep firewood outside

Only bring firewood in when you’re ready to burn it. If you bring firewood into your home without using it, dormant insects that might have burrowed into the wood will warm up and become active.

Do not spray firewood with insecticide

First, it won’t penetrate the wood, making it useless for insects that burrowed inside. Second, burning the insecticide-treated firewood could be hazardous.

Do not let a wood pile touch your house

That can provide a conduit for termites or carpenter ants to worm their way into your home.

Use the oldest wood first

Not only will it be the driest for burning but it’s more likely to be infested so get rid of it first.

Shake wood or knock logs together

That will eliminate surface bugs. Also remove any webbing or cocoons you find on the wood.

Arrow Is Available All Year Round

Regardless of the time of year, if you think you have an infestation of any kind, call us right away. The sooner you reach out to the experts at Arrow Exterminating, the sooner we can help you live in a critter-free environment. To get started, contact Arrow Exterminating today.