There’s nothing more comforting than a warm fire on a cold winter’s day, and pests agree! A woodpile makes an appealing home to most unwanted pests, including rodents, wildlife, and insects. Pro Staff, experts in pest control Des Moines, has tips to help you keep your woodpile pest-free.
Harvesting Your Firewood
It’s best to harvest your firewood when bugs are least active. Since most wood-loving pests are spring- or summer-emergent, harvest during the late summer or early fall. The longer you wait to harvest your firewood, the cooler the weather will be, and the less of a chance you’ll have of bringing a wood-loving insect home.
Preparing Your Firewood
Firewood needs to be properly dried before you bring it inside. Not only will this help it burn more easily, but pests are less attracted to dry wood. If you cut your wood early in the season, store it in a sunny place so that it’s dry come winter. Place a tarp over your wood pile to prevent snow and rain from adding moisture.
Storing Your Firewood
Storing firewood close to your home is an invitation for wood-boring pests to come inside. To prevent insects like termites from making the move from woodpile to your house, store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home. Make sure it’s stored off the ground to maintain airflow beneath the pile. This can help reduce excess moisture. Try stacking it on concrete blocks, bricks, or firewood grates. When it comes to picking logs to burn, make sure you’re practicing FIFO, or first-in, first-out. Rotate your woodpile and use older logs first. This can prevent the aging, unused firewood from becoming infested with pests.
Most importantly, never stack firewood indoors. While it may seem convenient to have firewood inside and ready-to-go, woodpiles provide an attractive harborage for rodents, wildlife, and insects; having one in your home can lead to unwanted pests. Firewood brought inside should always be burned immediately.
By taking the steps to properly store your firewood, you can prevent an unwanted pest infestation. To prevent pests year-round, contact Pro Staff, your pest control Des Moines experts. Contact us online or give us a call at 515-279-7378.