Firewood Pests: Keep Your Logs Bug-Free & Your House Safe
Just imagine you carry in an armload of firewood, and suddenly, tiny beetles are flying around your living room. Or worse, you spot sawdust piling up under the stack you have kept indoors for months.
Congratulations, you have just imported a potential home-destroying infestation.
This article reveals some of the most dangerous (and most common) firewood pests, how to identify them, and the exact steps professionals use to stop them dead before they turn your fireplace into a structural nightmare.
What are the Big 4 Home-Destroying Firewood Pests?
| Pest | Size | Signs in Wood | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subterranean Termites | 0.25 to 0.5 inch | Mud tubes on bark, hollowed galleries |  |
| Powderpost Beetles | 0.125 to 0.24 inch | Perfectly round 0.0625 to 0.125 inch holes and fine powder | |
| Carpenter Ants | 0.25 to 0.5 inch | Clean, smooth galleries and frass (sawdust and insect parts) | |
| Deathwatch Beetles | 0.25 inch | Tiny holes and bun-shaped pellets | |
Never store infested firewood inside for more than 48 hours, as many species will exit the wood and attack your home’s structure within weeks.
Read also: Bugs In The Bathroom: Identify & Eliminate The Real Pests
What are the Annoying But Harmless Firewood Bugs?
- Longhorned Beetles: They have large, impressive antennae, but the larvae die when the wood dries.
- Bark Beetles: These are tiny bugs that only live under bark
- Wood-Boring Moth Larvae: These are white grubs that live in punky wood
- Spiders & Centipedes: They eat the real pests
What are the Signs of Firewood Pests?
| Sign | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Fine talcum-like powder | Powderpost beetles (emergency) |
| Coarse sawdust and insect parts | Carpenter ants (emergency) |
| Mud tubes on bark | Subterranean termites (emergency) |
| Perfectly round, tiny holes | Powderpost or deathwatch beetles |
| Large oval exit holes (0.5 inch) | Longhorned beetles (safe) |
| Slits in bark with sap | Bark beetles (safe) |
How to Safely Store Firewood
- Never store firewood indoors longer than 48 hours
- Keep stacks 20+ feet from the house and 5 feet off the ground
- Cover only the top, and leave the sides open for air circulation
- Buy local, burn local; do not transport pests across state lines
- Season wood 6 to 12 months, as most insects die when the moisture drops
- Inspect every log before bringing it inside
What to Do if You Find Firewood Pests
- Isolate immediately, and move the stack far from the house.
- Heat the center of the logs to 133°F for 30 min (professional kilns) or burn immediately.
- Apply borate sprays (Tim-bor, Bora-Care) on affected wood.
- Call a pro if you confirm the presence of powderpost beetles or termites.
What are the Best Firewood Choices?
- Kiln-dried firewood (heated to 133°F+)
- Hardwoods seasoned for 12+ months (oak, maple, hickory)
Avoid: Pine and softwoods (bark beetle magnets)
Read also: Are Bugs in Your Makeup? The Hidden Insect Ingredients In Your Beauty Routine
Conclusion
Most firewood bugs are harmless and die in the fire. The dangerous ones, termites, powderpost beetles, and carpenter ants, only become a problem when you store infested wood indoors or next to your house.
Follow this guide, inspect every log, and burn them within 48 hours. Do this, and your fireplace will stay cozy and bug-free.
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