We’re still in the cold season in New York City and Long Island, and many homeowners are enjoying long stretches of time spent cozying up to a roaring fire. Having a fireplace is a luxury to anyone, but if you don’t treat it carefully it could result in disaster. Many residents with fireplaces keep their firewood close to their property – or, even better, inside the home for easy access. It seems to make so much sense until you realize that many pests burrow into the same wood we use as kindling. So, by bringing wood inside without taking any precautions, you can inadvertently invite all manner of bugs into the house. If you don’t want to share your winter with spiders, wasps, or even termites, it’s vital to understand how to store and carry firewood.
At Magic Exterminating, we specialize in termite control for homes and businesses. But what we’d like even more than that is for you to not need our services in the first place. To help make that happen, here are four practices that you can follow to keep termites out of your firewood.
Raise it Up!
As any pest exterminator and they’ll stress the importance of keeping the perimeter of your home clear. If there are branches or piles of debris touching the exterior of your property, it creates a bridge of easy access for any insects or rodents to get inside. The same applies to your woodpile. That’s why we suggest keeping your kindling stacked at least 20-30 feet away from the exterior of your property. It’s less convenient for those looking to get wood, true, but at the same time, it also makes it harder for pests to follow you back inside. You can even add an additional security by raising your firewood so it isn’t touching the ground, which will make it even harder for termites and other pests to burrow into it.
Take and Shake!
Oftentimes the termites that burrow into your firewood are looking to overwinter through the cold season. You might not be able to see them, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. There’s an easy way to knock them out and make sure the wood you bring it in is clean of pests. All you have to do is take the wood and knock it together several times. This dislodges any termites, as well as brushes off webs, cocoons, and structures made from other insects. Inspect the wood once you’re done to make sure no that there are no creepy crawlies left in or on the wood.
Keep it Covered!
Many homeowners keep a stockpile of firewood that’ll last them throughout the cold season. It’s always there for whenever you need it, and since you’re meant to keep it outdoors, it only makes sense to cover your supply. A covered stash of firewood stays drier, and therefore easier to light. When wood gets wet it starts to decay, and subterranean termites and carpenter ants are two species attracted to decaying wood. So by keeping your wood covered and raised, you can protect it from insects aiming to use it as an overwintering shelter.
Collect and Chill!
If you want to be smart about your firewood supply, something you can do is make sure to only bring in as much firewood as you can burn within a day or so. And instead of keeping it inside the home where it’s warm, choose instead to store it in the garage or another, cooler part of your property. Heat will activate any remaining termites or other insects burrowed within the wood, so if you keep it cold right until you burn it they likely won’t get a chance to escape.
When Termites Need Treatment
Even if you take these precautions, you might still get an infestation of termites on your property. Living as a homeowner in Long Island, it’s a very real threat that you should have a plan for. [comapny] has been combating termites in homes and businesses since 1960, and we can help you too. If you notice those pinprick holes and bubbles in the walls, telltale signs of termites, you can trust us to get things back the way they should be. Want to know more? Contact us today for a free quote!
