While working last night I noticed a moth flitting around my lamp. I thought it interesting that, here in the middle of winter, a bug had managed to finding its way inside! We’ve put into practice the helpful tips I’ve shared in so many blogs, yet somehow a moth had gotten past the barriers.
Looking around the room, nothing seemed out of place. Then it hit me! My husband brought in a bundle of firewood earlier in the evening! The moth must have been in it!
I do love my fireplace. I love the gentle warmth, the soft glow, and the crackle of a fire on a cold night. As pleasant as our fireplace is, though, it’s been the source of some amazing adventures. Across the years, bees, wasps, ants, beetles…and of course, last night’s moth…have gotten into our house by hitchhiking inside logs. You don’t see them at first, but when room temperature reaches 70 degrees F they wake up and start to explore their new surroundings.
Oh, about the crackling and popping noises a wood fire makes …those are often the sound of exploding insects…
Bugs aren’t the only pests that hitchhike on firewood. Rodents and even snakes have been known to come indoors by hiding inside or between logs.
The best way to keep firewood pests from invading your house is to take preventative measures:
– Stack firewood at least 20-30 feet away from your house.
– Use a firewood rack or stack of bricks to keep wood off the ground. This will discourage animals and insects from nesting in the pile.
– Look closely at logs before carrying them indoors. You probably can’t see insects that have burrowed into the wood, but you can see any crawling around the outside. Remove pests before moving firewood indoors.
– Don’t let large quantities of wood sit inside your house for a long period of time. Bring in enough for your immediate needs and leave the rest in the cold.
We want you to stay warm this winter and keep the bugs out of the house. Enjoy your fireplace, but don’t let bugs become an ongoing problem.
Be proactive to keep pests from invading your home. If you’re already struggling with an infestation, call us today. We’ll be glad to help resolve your issue.
