Fires are a treasured part of cold weather, but firewood can often be the host to unwelcome visitors. Various species of insects can make their homes in hollowed-out logs, meaning that the firewood you bring into your home is more than likely to contain a few unwitting roommates of the six-legged kind. Read on to find out which four insects often nest inside firewood, and how to prevent them from entering your home.
Carpenter Ants
Identification
Of all the insects that love to make their home in logs, Carpenter ants are among the biggest. With bodies that are up to 1/2 an inch long, these large ants have distinctive black or red and black antennae. They’re also easy to spot due to their habit of carrying pieces of sawdust, which is useful in identifying them in case of an infestation.
Habits and Prevention
These large ants like to eat wood, and therefore prefer wet, rotting logs for nesting. Experienced carpenters can recognize the signs of a potential infestation, such as frass, which is sawdust and wood shavings created during tunnelling. Firewood should therefore be inspected and stored neatly to allow for better air circulation which can prevent rot and consequently infestations.
Carpenter Bees
Identification
These large bees can often be mistaken for bumblebees, but they have a different set of features which make them simple to identify. For one thing, carpenter bees lack the dense fur that bumblebees have. Instead, they have a longer, absent-minded set of antennae. The other identifying feature of the carpenter bee is its tendency to bore holes in wood and make nests inside them.
Habits and Prevention
The carpenter bee is capable of making multiple nests throughout its lifetime, a fact that’s unfortunately bad news for the firewood we store in our homes. To prevent an infestation, keep track of your firewood. If you find it stored in a wet place or with tell-tale signs of tunnelling, make sure to burn it immediately to prevent an infestation.
Termites
Identification
These pesky pests can often be easily spotted due to the mud tubes they construct outside of their nest. Inside the nest, these creatures eat wood and are therefore the bane of many homeowners who don’t properly inspect their firewood. Termites have long, white wings and their bodies can reach up to a quarter inch long.
Habits and Prevention
Because they live in colonies, there can be up to thousands of these pests present in any given log. The best solution to prevent an infestation is to store the wood in a dry place, preferably off the ground and away from any other sources of heat or moisture.
Powderpost Beetles
Identification
Known as one of the most common firewood pests, Powderpost beetles can often be easily identified due to their small size. These tiny creatures are 1/8 to 3/8 inches long and have long antennae. They can easily be distinguished from other similar pests by the fine powder or flour-like substance they leave in their wake.
Habits and Prevention
Like the other pests mentioned here, powderpost beetles prefer to nest in wet and moist wood. To make sure that these pests don’t make their homes in your firewood, store your logs in a dry place and carefully inspect them for signs of infestation.
People Also Ask:
Where do woodboring insects nest?
Most woodboring insects nest in wet or rotting wood, such as firewood that has been stored in a damp place.
Can you prevent woodboring insects?
Yes, woodboring insects can be prevented by storing firewood in a dry place and inspecting it regularly for signs of infestation.
Where do Carpenter ants come from?
Carpenter ants come from decaying or wet wood, as well as small cracks in walls and other spaces where they can tunnel and create nests.
How do you get rid of woodboring insects?
Woodboring insects can often be removed by disposing or burning infested firewood, as well as sealing up cracks and crevices where they might enter your home.
What attracts woodboring insects?
Woodboring insects are attracted to damp, wet conditions and hollowed-out logs, as these provide them with the perfect problem for nesting.
Final Words
Firewood can be home to an array of unwelcome guests, from ants and bees to termites and powderpost beetles. To ensure that your home is safe from infestations, inspect your wood store regularly and keep it in a dry place. Also, dispose of any logs that have been exposed to dampness or wetness. Following these steps will significantly reduce the risk of hosting a few extra-unexpected guests.