Stack of dry firewood in Smithtown NY that could be harboring termites.

Few things are more comforting than a crackling fire on a cold night… that is, unless you notice termites swarming around your firewood. These tiny pests are notorious for eating through wooden structures and can cause significant damage even during the freezing winter months. The last thing you want is to accidentally bring termite-infested wood indoors where they can wreak havoc on your house. To keep termites out of your firewood, follow these steps:

  • Store firewood outside: Although it may seem convenient to have a pile of logs close at hand to keep the fire burning all night long, keeping firewood indoors could invite termites into your house. So, only bring inside what you plan to burn right now.
  • Place the firewood at least 20 feet away from your house: A termite-infested firewood pile isn’t fun to deal with, but it’s even worse to have these pests chewing away at your house. Putting some distance between the firewood pile and your home can help prevent these wood-destroying pests from getting in or on your house.
  • Cover the logs to keep them dry: Termites require moisture to survive, so they are attracted to damp wood that’s been left out in the rain. Covering your log pile with a tarp will deter infestations while keeping your firewood dry and ready to burn.
  • Keep the firewood off of the soil: Termite colonies often spread to new areas by using underground mud tubes as a pathway. If your firewood is sitting directly on the ground, it will be easier for these pests to invade. Try placing a tarp beneath your logs or elevating the pile off the ground. 
  • Use older logs first: Old firewood is more likely to rot or become infested. Rather than keeping new logs at the top of your stack, try to make the older logs more accessible so you will use them first. 
  • Inspect the firewood before bringing it inside: The last thing you want is to accidentally carry termites right into your house. Quickly looking at your firewood for signs of pests will help you keep termites and other unwanted critters out.
  • Burn the logs immediately: Letting your firewood sit inside, even for a couple of hours, could allow deeply-burrowed termites to crawl out and access the rest of your home. Instead of letting your firewood sit indoors, burn the logs immediately after you bring them indoors. 

Dangers of Pesticides on Firewood

If termites are a persistent problem in your firewood pile, you may be tempted to use pesticides as a solution. However, pesticides contain chemicals that will release into the air as the wood burns. These chemicals can be harmful to your health, which is why you should never spray any wood that you plan to burn – even for outdoor fires. 

Signs Your Firewood Has Termites

Termites often burrow deep into wood, which makes it challenging to identify infested logs with a quick visual inspection. However, it’s important to identify colonies as quickly as possible to minimize the amount of damage these pests can cause. Common signs that your firewood has termites include:

  • Live or dead insects
  • Discarded wings
  • Damaged wood
  • Frass piles
  • Mud tubes

What to Do if Your Firewood is Infested

Termites live in large colonies, so even a single insect could be the sign of a much larger infestation. If you notice the signs of termites in your firewood, start by moving the firewood farther from your house – the more distance the better to prevent the termites from accessing your house. 

After moving the infested firewood, contact a pest control company as soon as you can. Outdoor pest problems can be tricky to treat, but a knowledgeable professional will be able to provide a lasting solution.

Quality Termite Extermination Services

Suspect your firewood is swarming with termites? Dealing with pest invasions in other areas of your property? The experts at Suburban Exterminating are here to help! We offer comprehensive, year-round extermination services with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you can trust our team to get rid of your pest problem for good. To get started, call us today for a free quote!

Keeping Termites Out of Firewood Serving Long Island and surrounding areas

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