Four Insects You May Encounter In Your Firewood
As we move towards the chilly season many of us are lighting up our fireplaces and enjoying the warmth of a crackling fire. During this transition it's essential to be aware that a few unwelcome pests might be eyeing our chosen firewood as their potential home.
Here are four insects to keep an eye out for this winter season,
1)Ticks
Woodpiles are a favorite habitat for rodents. These rodents frequently attract those blood sucking ticks. To reduce the risk of bringing ticks inside during the cooler months, store woodpiles away from the home and keep an eye out for rodent activity. Mosquito Elite also offers tick treatments to cut down on tick presence in rodent-occupied areas.
2) Mosquitoes
Not suprised to see these on the list are you? I mean, this is a blog written by mosquito professionals! Mosquitoes love to both lay eggs and hang out in the cool dark spaces between your firewood. This is such a problem that we focus on these wood piles year round during our normal mosquito treatments! With the increased dampness we usually see during the winter months, these wood piles serve as a safe heaven for those pesky mosquitoes.
3) Ants
Preferring the damp and dilapidated wood we often have lying around this time of year, ants tunnel into wood to lay eggs and build nests. While they won't establish in your home, be cautious when selecting wood from outdoors, or you may get a painful surprise from the ants hiding inside.
4) Termites
As if 1-3 weren’t enough to worry about…. Termites can cause significant damage to homes. Store woodpiles away from the house, use wood immediately after bringing it inside, and keep smaller indoor woodpiles away from cracks and crevices to avoid termite infestations.
Here are some tips from the Pros at Mosquito Elite:
Check for insects crawling on or falling out of the wood. Also check for small holes, fine powdery dust, or other signs of insect damage
Use firewood immediately after bringing it inside.
Have your woodpile treated throughout the entire year to stop the issue before it happens (That’s where Mosquito Elite can truly help)
By following these precautions, you can enjoy the warmth of your fireplace without inviting unwanted pests into your home.
