Avoid firewood pests

NICEVILLE, Fla — Your firewood pile could be “bugged.” Many insects like to overwinter in wood. A woodpile is an ideal place for some insects to survive the winter. They don’t know that you intend to bring their winter home indoors during cold weather.

During colder weather, you can unknowingly bring in pests such as spiders, beetles and roaches when you bring in firewood. It’s best to bring in firewood only when you are ready to use it. Otherwise, those pests could become active and start crawling around inside your house.

Many insects are potential problems indoors and there are usually control options once insects move into your home. However, preventing insects from getting inside is the best approach.

If you store wood indoors for short periods of time, it is a good idea to clean the storage area after you have used the wood. Using a first-in, first-out guideline as much as possible will reduce chances of insect problems.

It’s best to keep your woodpile off the ground and away from the house. This will make it less inviting to insects and by being dry, the wood will burn better.

It’s not difficult to keep the wood off the ground. The wood can be stacked on a base of wooden pallets, bricks or blocks, which will allow air movement under the wood. It may be more difficult to keep the wood dry but it can be covered with a waterproof tarp or stored in a shed.

Regardless of how it is stored, avoid spraying firewood with insecticides. When burned, insecticide-treated wood may give off harmful fumes.

Some critters that live in firewood can be harmful to humans. To avoid a painful sting or bite from insects, spiders or scorpions (no Florida scorpion is considered poisonous but they can inflict a painful sting), it is a good practice to wear gloves when picking up logs from a woodpile.

Firewood can be a good source of heat during our cold weather. If you’re careful with how you handle your firewood, hopefully, it will warm you, not “bug” you.

Larry Williams is the Extension horticulture agent with the Okaloosa County Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida. Contact Larry at 689-5850 or email lwilliams@myokaloosa.com.