It is finally fall. The hot summer season is over and temperatures are dropping back down. As the days begin to cool off, we may begin using our fireplaces to help warm up the house. What many people don’t often think about when building a fire to warm their cold hands, is the pests they may be bringing into their home. Firewood piles are a perfect living environment for many pests including, but not limited to, cockroaches, spiders, ants, termites, and rodents. Any one of these pests can be problematic for your home. A-Tex Pest Management will share how to prevent pests from infesting your firewood and how to keep them out of your home.
Best Locations for Storing Firewood
When storing firewood, most people like to have the wood stacked near their home and often next to a door for easy access. This is a huge mistake. Pests love firewood piles. Firewood piles provide food and shelter for various pests. Some pests such as carpenter ants and termites love infesting firewood. You don’t want either one inside your home. Firewood should be stored away from the home to prevent the pests living inside the wood from invading your home.
Keep Wood Covered to Prevent Pests Nesting in It
Stored firewood, after it has been stacked, should be kept covered. You want to keep wood dry, not just for usable wood but to prevent wood decay. Many pests including carpenter ants, termites, cockroaches and other occasional invaders will feed on decaying wood. By keeping the wood dry you will help reduce the number of pests that may be drawn to living in the wood.
Keep Wood Off the Ground to Prevent Pests
Never have the wood pile in contact with the ground. Termites gain easy access to the wood if it is in contact with the ground, along with other pests. Yes, many pests can still climb into the wood. However, you can reduce or prevent certain types of pests by keep the wood off of the ground. It is recommended that you should have the wood a foot off of the ground. There are many firewood racks that you can buy or make easily.
Avoid Pests with Firewood Rotation
As your firewood stack dwindles, don’t stack new wood on top of the old wood. The longer the wood sets or ages, it will begin to decay. Additionally, the longer wood is left undisturbed the more pests will choose to inhabit that area. Make sure to rotate the older wood. Put it on top and stack newer wood on the bottom.
Treating Firewood for Insects
Many people are tempted to use pesticides or insecticides to kill insects and other pests that live inside the wood. This is a major mistake. Most pests won’t leave the wood. They will simply burrow deeper inside the wood. Additionally, when you burn the wood, it can release dangerous chemicals which is a major health risk. If you need to help control pests, use baits and traps.
Only Bring in as Much Firewood as you Need
When you get that warm fire going, many people will bring extra firewood inside to get the fire going. Where you may want to save yourself the extra trips every time you need a log to burn and bring in extra wood, don’t. Pests can blend in or hide in the smallest cracks in firewood. Many people will bring pests right into their home and not even know it. To help keep your home pest free avoid bringing extra wood into or near your home.
Pest Inspections, Control & More in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park, Texas
Stay warm and pest free this fall and winter by using these firewood pest control tips. If you need extra help controlling pests around your home, contact A-Tex Pest Management today!
