Tips For Preventing Pests In Your Outdoor Wood Pile
Whether you have a wood-burning fireplace in your home or simply love going camping every weekend and want to store some firewood on your property, there are several reasons why you might have a backyard woodpile. Unfortunately, in addition to becoming wet or severely damaged, your firewood is susceptible to a variety of pests, including insects and rodents. Firewood provides a food source for some pests and the ideal place for other pests to find shelter or create a nest. Here are a few simple tips to help you protect your backyard firewood pile.
Keep Your Firewood Dry
Before firewood is usable in your backyard fire pit or indoor fireplace, it must be seasoned. Seasoning involves allowing the firewood to dry completely. In addition to ruining your firewood, allowing the wood to become wet makes it more attractive to pests, including termites. Protect your firewood and keep it dry by stacking the firewood, which allows for proper airflow around each piece of firewood, and by storing the firewood inside a shed or under a tarp.
Store the Firewood Off the Ground
In addition to causing your firewood to become damp from the moist ground underneath, storing your firewood directly on the ground makes it easier for pests to access the pile. Instead, pile your firewood several inches off the ground. There are several different options available to keep your firewood off the ground, depending on the size of your firewood pile.
For example, if you are storing several logs, consider using wood pallets to keep your firewood safe. Smaller piles can be kept safe and off the ground by piling the firewood on plastic crates.
Avoid Storing Firewood Indoors
Although it makes it more convenient to grab a piece of firewood for your indoor woodstove or fireplace, storing your firewood inside your home for an extended period of time can leave the pile susceptible to insects and other pests. In addition to potentially exposing your firewood to moisture from the humidity inside your home, the insects or pests that make their way into your home, such as mice, can make a nest inside the firewood pile.
Inspect Your Firewood for Pests
Periodically check your firewood for pests, including insects and other small rodents. If you find any, use a pesticide or contact a professional to eliminate the pests from your firewood pile and prevent other infestations from occurring in the future.
From storing your firewood off the ground to keeping your firewood dry, there are several ways you can prevent common pests from invading your backyard firewood pile. Reach out to a pest control service for more information.