Storing Firewood

These homeowners got a surprise when they found termites in their wood pile. To you and me it's just a chunk of firewood, but for termites, it's a feast.

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Filed under: Wood, Garden Pest, Materials and Supplies

To you and me it's just a chunk of firewood, but for termites, it's a feast. And if it's placed too close to the housewell, the house could become part of the meal, too. That was the lesson learned by the homeowners in Annapolis, Maryland. Many people never think to check their woodpile for signs of termite infestation. But mud tubes and rotting wood are sure signs that these pests are chowing down on your woodpile. And these critters have quite an appetite. So you don't want them anywhere near your house.

Keep firewood at least 15 feet from the foundation of your home.
Elevate your woodpile at least a few inches to keep it from soaking up ground water and rotting.
And cover the wood with a canopy, roof or waterproof tarp to keep it dry.
If you cut your own firewood, make sure it's allowed to air dry 6 to 8 months.

If you store your firewood properly termites won't be tempted to make your house their next meal.