A crackling log fire is a lovely cosy feature in your home during the winter months.  But how do you make sure that you don't finish up with unwanted termites in your log pile that you could inadvertently bring into your house?  Read on to find out more.

How to protect your firewood from termites   

  1. First of all, never store firewood inside your home.  Dry wood offers a potential habitat and food source for drywood termites.   If the insects find their way into the roof joists and other vital structural parts of your house, they can cause extensive damage. Only bring sufficient firewood for one day into your home and never use log stacks as interior decor unless you can be absolutely certain that they are termite-free.  
  2. Keep your firewood outside in a purpose-built, metal or plastic firewood store.  This will discourage termites from taking up residence in the fabric of the store itself from where they can infest any new firewood that you add to the pile.   
  3. When siting your external firewood store, place it well away from the external walls of your home and any other wooden structures such as fences or sheds.  Never stack firewood on the ground up against your home or garage.  Subterranean termites could use the wood pile as a means of entry into the foundations of your house from where they could set up an infestation.  
  4. Always ensure that your firewood is stacked off the ground, either on bricks or metal sheeting.  Subterranean termites move around underground in their search for food (wood) and could access a log pile that's in direct contact with the ground, so always make sure you put a non-timber barrier between the logs and the earth.  
  5. Don't place new wood on top of old.  Older wood is more likely to house a termite colony that could spread to your new wood.  
  6. Subterranean termites are attracted in particular to damp wood as a food source, so if you don't have a log store, cover your woodpile with a tarp to keep it dry.   
  7. Never treat your firewood with anti-termite products or insecticides.  These can give off toxic fumes when burned and you could put yourself at risk.  
  8. Only use firewood that you've purchased from a reputable supplier.  Don't be tempted to collect deadwood from surrounding land – you could be bringing termite-infested wood into your home.

In conclusion

Termites can be extremely destructive if they invade the wooden structures in the fabric of your house.  Make sure that you don't inadvertently bring termites into your house in firewood by following the tips given above.  For further information and advice on termite protection, contact your local pest control contractor.

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