As the winter weather approaches, we might find ourselves getting cozy by the fire. Having a roaring fire going to keep us warm is a great way to help heat your home and even create a holiday atmosphere. However you may not realize the pests you are bring into your home. Many bugs love wood, pure and simple, and they take up residence inside wood piles. The termites are the worst, but you can also find some nasty stink bugs or chinch bugs you need to get rid of quickly. A-Tex Pest Management has a few tips to help keep pests out of your firewood and out of your food as the cooler temperatures move in and the fire become cozier.
Stack Firewood Away from House to Avoid Pests
It can be difficult to keep pests out of a firewood pile. Most of the time you can’t help it at all. That is why regardless of the distance; keep your firewood as far away from the house as possible. This will help keep pests from coming into your home. Some of the worst pests like carpenter ants love firewood so keeping the stack near your home makes it easy for the ants to get inside your home. Carpenter ants can be destructive to a home and expensive to repair.
Prevent Pests by Keeping Firewood Dry
Keep your firewood covered. Many pests will still call a firewood stack home. However a wet firewood stack will cause a great deal of other insects to gravitate toward it. There are many pests that will feed on moist, decaying wood. Dry wood pests are much easier to control than others. Another tip for keep your firewood dry is to have the wood off the ground. Keeping your wood up off the ground will help prevent the wood from locking in moisture.
Best Way to Store Firewood Outside so as Not to Attract Pests
This might sound like a pain but don’t keep adding to your firewood stack so that you never use the bottom wood. The longer wood decays the worse the pest problem gets. Most insects like decaying wood. It’s easier to burrow through and eat. The longer wood sets the longer the pests can remain established as well. Either rotate the wood or wait unit the stack is gone before adding more wood.
Stop Storing Firewood Inside House to Prevent Bugs
When it’s cold outside and the fire is helping to keep you warm, it may be hard to resist bringing in extra wood to be burned later. This is a common mistake people do, to avoid the harsh cold or to save a trip. When this is done however, you just brought pests into your home and now they have time to make their way throughout your house. It’s best just to make the extra trip outside to prevent any pests from getting a little too cozy in your home.
Don’t Spray Permethrin or Pesticide on Firewood
Do not spray pesticides on your firewood ever. This causes two problems. One the pest will retreat deeper into the wood to escape. Two when you burn your firewood that has been sprayed by a pesticide, you will release a dangerous chemical into the air. Anyone that was exposed can get very sick.
Bug & Pest Inspections, Prevention & Control in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park, Texas
Fires during the wintertime can be a life saver. Whether you are warming your home or in a cabin in the mountains sitting next to a warm fire, fires can create good time for family and friend. Be mindful of the potential pests you might be bringing into your home. A-Tex Pest Management will help you with all your pest needs. If you need any more tips on how to keep pests away this winter, we are a call away.
