How to Store Firewood to Avoid Termites

Termites are the bane of any homeowner’s existence and every homeowner wants to make sure that they avoid them. However, people who regularly have fires for fun in their backyard, or who need to use firewood to heat a home or cabin may unknowingly be inviting termites to set up shop way too close to their home. Storing firewood properly is crucial to avoid attracting termites and other pests. Here are some of our pro tips to keep in mind when storing firewood to make sure that you are not creating the perfect environment for insects, or pests that can cause you major grief, like termites. These are key guidelines to follow:

1. Elevate the Wood: Use a rack or pallets to keep firewood off the ground. This helps to prevent direct contact with soil, which can be a source of termites. Termites love moist soil that is often created when wood is stacked on the ground. Elevation also promotes proper airflow which is key to keeping your firewood in good condition.
   
2. Store Away from Buildings: Place firewood at least 20 feet away from your home or any other structures. This distance helps to reduce the risk of termites migrating from the wood to your house. This can seem counter-intuitive, especially when you consider that roof overhangs may keep your wood dry and close to the house in cold winter months but it is a very important precaution.
3. Cover the Wood: Use a tarp or other breathable cover to protect the wood from moisture while allowing air circulation. Moist wood not only doesn’t work great for fires but is more attractive to termites.
4. Stack Properly: Stack firewood in a way that allows air to circulate through the pile. This helps keep the wood dry and less appealing to termites. Research different stacking methods and identify which works best for your location and needs. The Shaker method creates compact and sturdy stacks that work well for small spaces. The Norwegian method uses barked firewood at the top of the stack to act as a natural protection against the elements.
5. Airflow: Perhaps the most counterintuitive tip on this list is to make sure that you aren’t densely stacking your wood, instead, leave space in between logs. While this may seem like an inefficient use of space it allows for proper air circulation no matter your stacking method. Proper circulation will help your logs dry out faster and create an environment that insects don’t like.
6. Rotate Stock: Use the oldest wood first. Regularly rotating your firewood ensures that none of it sits too long, which can help prevent infestations. Picking the right stacking method can be key here in allowing you to keep your firewood organized in a way that makes it easy to use old wood first and keep track of what needs to be used first.
7. Inspect Regularly: Periodically check your firewood for signs of termites or other pests. If you find any infested wood, remove it immediately. While it may be sad to see the time you spent gathering wood as lost it is best to ensure that you are keeping the rest of your wood safe and your home as well.
8. Avoid Storing Indoors: Only bring firewood indoors when you’re ready to use it. Storing firewood inside can increase the risk of termites entering your home.

By following these steps, you can effectively store firewood while not only minimizing the risk of termite infestations but other insects and pests as well. Termites will not only eat up the firewood that you worked so hard to chop and store, but they will destroy any wood in its path, and eventually find the studs of your home which can cause danger to the integrity of your home. If you find yourself in need of an Idaho Falls restoration company because termites have ruined your home, Tobin Restoration is here to help your home be secure and safe once again.