Protecting Your Firewood from Home Invading Pests

One thing that comes to mind when we think of the wintertime is a warm, crackling fire burning in the fireplace. Although this seems comforting and cozy, if you’re not careful, being too lazy with your firewood storage can lead to pest problems that ruin your holiday season. Fortunately for you, we know the best ways to keep pests out of your woodpiles and out of your home as a result. For the best pointers on winter pest control in Bristol TN, read on—we’ve asked our technicians at Leo’s Pest Control for their advice!

What Kinds of Pests Do Woodpiles Attract?

There are plenty of bugs that you might find around your woodpile that should be no cause for alarm. Earwigs, moths, boxelder bugs, some species of spiders, and other pests will simply be an annoyance in your home, not a direct threat to your family or your property. On the flip side, there are a few pests that you’ll want to keep an eye out for, those being:

  • Termites
  • Powderpost beetles
  • Carpenter ants
  • Carpenter bees and wasps

Of course, bees and wasps in your home come with the fear of being stung, but there are long-lasting issues that arise with the presence of the aforementioned wood-boring insects. Termites, powderpost beetles, and carpenter ants all tear through the wooden structures of our home in the interest of nutrition or nesting. Termites are the worst of the bunch—subterranean termites alone cause over an estimated $5 billion in property damage in the United States every year!

How to Keep Pests Out of Your Firewood Piles

To avoid a pest infestation spurred by woodpile haphazardness, you have to be extra careful about the way that you store and transport your logs. Here are Leo’s Pest Control’s three greatest tips to stop infestations of firewood-dwelling pests:

  1. Keep your firewood high up and covered: Termites and carpenter ants live underground, so woodpiles at ground level become easy sources of food and shelter. Keeping your woodpile protected and stored high will reduce your chances of bringing in pests.
  2. Keep a distance: Your woodpile should not be resting up against the outer walls of your home. In fact, the further away, the better.
  3. Burn older wood first and fast: When you take wood inside to start a fire, choose older logs and burn them right away. Older logs have a greater chance of being infested, but if you burn them quickly, there’s no need to worry about pests spreading out of them.

Winter Pest Control in Bristol TN

If you want to be sure that you’re taking the right steps to keep pests out of your home this winter, reach out to your local pest control company about your concerns. At Leo’s Pest Control, we pride ourselves on offering holistic pest control programs for every season, performing inspections, conducting treatments, and keeping up with prevention plans tailored to each of our customers’ homes. Don’t wait until it’s too late to stop pests this winter—reach out today for a free quote!

Can I Get Stung by a Carpenter Bee?

Carpenter bees rarely sting people in Bristol TN - Leo's Pest Control

Stinging insects of any kind can be cause for concern. Many people confuse bees for wasps and vice versa, making it important to know which are more of a risk to be around. In general, carpenter bees are unlikely to sting anyone. These bees are busy nesting in wood, which is a whole other danger to be aware of with their presence.

While carpenter bee stings are rare, the experts at Leo’s Pest Control know how concerning insect stings of any kind can be for you and your family. Our bee control experts are here to share what you need to know about the dangers of carpenter bees in Bristol TN.

When Do Carpenter Bees Sting People?

Similar to most bees, carpenter bees will only sting when provoked or threatened. Here’s what to know about carpenter bee activity and what may motivate them to sting someone:

  1. Male carpenter bees don’t possess a stinger, making the chances of a sting even lower. Female carpenter bees possess a stinger.
  2. Typically, the females are hard at work excavating chambers for their brood. Male carpenter bees are territorial and tend to appear aggressive and dangerous, but this is just for show. The males spend a lot of time hovering near their nest to protect it. Their sole purpose is to mate and chase off predators, allowing females to safely rear offspring.
  3. The only time female carpenter bees will sting is when majorly threatened, handled, stepped on, swatted at, etc. For the most part, these bees are too busy to worry about stinging nearby people.

Do Carpenter Bees Damage Wood?

A common fear with carpenter bees is their wood-boring abilities. Carpenter bees tunnel through wood to lay their eggs. However, carpenter bee damage is minuscule compared to that done by carpenter ants or termites. Only when there are dozens of carpenter bees working away for a long period of time would you begin to see the damage of their activity. This is often seen in window sills, porches, roofs, etc.

The beneficial qualities of carpenter bees far outweigh any dangers they pose. As pollinators, these bees sustain themselves on nectar and pollinate plants as they go.

How to Control Carpenter Bees

Whether you’ve noticed an uptick in carpenter bee activity or are suspicious of wood damage from their activity, contact your local bee control experts at Leo’s Pest Control. Our team will help determine any carpenter bee problems you may be having and work to keep you safe from their activity year-round. Get in touch with us today to learn more!