Although many of us enjoy a warm, wood-burning fireplace or stove in the wintertime, we may not understand how to properly store wood. Keeping logs inside the house/cottage or the garage may not be a good idea. Here are some tips to properly store firewood and keep it free from pests.
Keep it away from the property.
Pests love to burrow and nest deep in wood piles. The closer firewood is to your property, the more likely insects are to infiltrate your property and cause serious damage. Keep firewood a good twenty feet (or more) away from your home or cottage, and never store it indoors.
Keep it dry.
Use a cover — or keep firewood in a woodshed — to prevent moisture from soaking into the wood. Logs will also be easier to burn. Keep firewood off the ground to keep the wood free from water and insects.
Use what you need.
Gather small amounts of kindling and logs as you need them. Use what you have indoors right away. Keep all other wood stored safely outdoors.
Avoid using pesticides.
If you spot insects in your firewood, avoid the impulse to spray your stack with pesticide. Wood containing toxic chemicals will release noxious gas indoors if burned in the fireplace or wood stove.
Use older firewood first.
Older firewood makes it easier for pests to burrow. They may build a colony if the wood is not burned right away. Before using old firewood, check for surface ants by shaking and tapping the logs.
If you suspect that your firewood has hidden pests or your home or cottage may be an unwilling shelter for winter invaders, call Pro-Pest. We can take care of infestation safely and without endangering property residents, pets, or family. Call us at (416) 487-4179.
