Firewood pests

[Tdog]

I have some sort of boring/gnawing? insect that is in my firewood - - I see sawdust collecting in a few places. Does anyone know of what I can spray with - - something that will not be a problem come fireplace time next winter?

Thanks

 

[SPIKER]

depends on if it is an airial bug (wood boring bettel/bee or ground bound one, ant/termite type:

apply some good bug killer around the pile for creepy crawlers and for the flying ones, well, a spray on the wood and into holes is only way. any of which should not effect the wood for burning...

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[LMTC]

Powder Post beetle. Do a Google search for info. DO NOT use poison (dust, fogger, etc). I did once, and we had significant problems from handling the wood that winter (rashes, etc.)
Try to keep firewood stacked off the ground (we use pallets). This will help a little. Don't bring this wood in prior to burning or you could have bugs in the house.

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dlf/privland/forprot/health/nyfo/powderpost.pdf

 

[kensfarm]

I agree.. the Powder Post beetle was most likely already in the wood when you cut it.. but in larvae stage. Any chemicals, insecticides, poisens sprayed on the wood.. would be released when the wood was burned.. I would just let them be.. and then.. death by fire!

 

[Currmudgeon]

A pyrethrin based bug spray, employed like slowrev suggested shouldn’t cause health problems, but may not penetrate to the bugs, either.

I’d just try to burn it up before the bugs eat it all, and don’t bring it into the house before it goes into the stove, or the bugs may find a more comfortable home. Locate your ready-stack away from the house.