Temperatures are dropping and winter is here, which means it's officially fireplace season. Unfortunately, humans aren't the only ones looking to stay warm this winter!
Bugs, pests, and other critters are searching for shelter from the cold. Since the bark on wood is a natural place for these pests to seek shelter, they may be transported into your home via firewood when you transfer it into your house.
A roaring fire is an efficient way to add both ambiance and warmth to your home. Keep cozy and help avoid an unexpected infestation of pests by following these easy tips.
Store Firewood Outdoors
Storing your firewood outside is the first step toward avoiding pests. This might seem counterintuitive, but storing wood outside and only bringing in what you're planning on burning immediately is important.
Choose Your Storage Location
Make your firewood less attractive to pests by choosing your firewood storage location carefully. It's recommended to store firewood on a rack that keeps it off of the ground. Firewood storage on grass or dirt makes it much easier for infestations to occur due to soil moisture and insects that live in the soil. Elevating your firewood is also important for keeping the pile dry.
If you don't have a concrete or asphalt space available, you can use a rack to store it off of the ground. This allows airflow underneath the firewood and prevents moisture from building up under the wood pile, which would make it even more attractive to insects. There are also structures specifically designed to house firewood that you can purchase. Additionally, make sure your firewood is covered with a tarp or something similar to keep it dry.
Store Firewood Away From Your Home
As tempting as it is to keep firewood right by your back door, this is one temptation you shouldn't give in to. If it’s easy for you to grab a piece of wood without leaving your porch, it’s equally as easy for an unwanted guest to find its way indoors. Remember, during this cold season pests are actively searching for a warm place to call home, so don’t make it easy for them!
Don't leave firewood sitting on the ground too long
Grabbing the top piece of wood and refilling the stack once it gets low is what most of us do, but leaving the bottom layer of wood untouched can create a safe haven for pests. Help prevent this by keeping the piles small, so you can work all the way to the ground every few weeks.
Don’t Treat Firewood With Chemicals
Spraying down your wood with chemicals might seem like an easy way to prevent a pest infestation, but it can be a deadly mistake. Burning firewood that has been treated with chemicals can expose you and your family to toxic fumes, creating a health hazard.
Find Bugs In The House?
That’s what pest control professionals are here for. Give us a call and our knowledgeable exterminators will take care of the pests so you can enjoy your crackling fire and hot cocoa in peace.
