Termites

[cosmo]

Does anyone know what I can do to keep termites out of my firewood. I just got a new woodstove to use this coming winter and am wondering what are the effects of burning termite infested wood. How can I keep them out?

[KC10Chief]

Burn it! It might burn faster, but I don't think you'll get any unusual gases or anything like that if that is what you're asking. I wouldn't store it on a wooden porch or anything. Just burn it. The termites sure won't like it though.

[cosmo]

KC10CHIEF

Thanks for the reply. That was going to be my plan.

It would also appear that termites can dry out firewood pretty fast!!

[Guest]

Does anyone know what I can do to keep termites out of my firewood. I just got a new woodstove to use this coming winter and am wondering what are the effects of burning termite infested wood. How can I keep them out?

Build a stand to keep if off of the ground. Then spray some termicide on the top of ground around the stand.

[amp]

good advice. i burn a lot of wood and sometimes the space you need to store it is hard to come by. of course, keeping it away from the house is a big one and make sure you have some air circulation around all sides of it. i keep mine off the ground with 8' 2x6 or 2x8 on top of a few bricks. it allows air to get underneath as well! i've actually stored some of my wood where termites once roamed due to some neglect from the owners of the property. i cleaned it all up....got my wood off the ground and sprayed the termiteacide or whatever it's called and i haven't had any issues in several years. good comment by the guest in previous post! sounds like right now you need to have a good fire and send those existing termites on their merry way! enjoy!!!

[Ohm1]

Good info! I guess I better get to work!

[john kean]

I have found over the years that termites need water. As many here have suggested keeping your firewood off the ground tends to eliminate the ground moisture from being drawn up into your stored firewood. I think it is important to keep a tarp over the top and sides as well to keep rain and snow from above out as well. That is why the old timers had wood sheds. You just don't find termites in dry wood.

[trex]

I have found over the years that termites need water. ... You just don't find termites in dry wood.

I know I'm coming late to this, but I just saw this.

Sorry, but termites can indeed handle dry wood. I had them in wood pallets in Afghanistan - hotter than a $75 Rollex and drier than tax law. Wish it were not so.

Mind you, they may have been Talliban termites or something, but termites they were.

[sreeja]

In my opinion you can store it in a cool place.Termites consume anything that contains cellulose, including some that don't. That includes wood, paper, leather, fur, feathers, just about any natural material.