How far should you keep firewood from your house?

Answer: Firewood storage attracts a number of pests including termites, other insects, and rodents. When you put firewood next to a building foundation, it's like leaving their favorite food right outside your door. I recommend that you keep any firewood at least five feet or more away from the foundation.

Can I store wood next to my house?

Choose a dry, breezy area of your property. Keep the wood about 20 feet from the nearest door to your house to prevent pests from having a direct route inside. If you're stacking wood next to a structure, stack it at least a few inches away from the structure to allow airflow behind the stack.

Should firewood be stored away from the house?

Most sources say you should only bring logs in right before burning. At most, the Purdue Extension Department of Entomology says, you can store enough for a day or two. Otherwise, all firewood should actually be stored "at least five feet or more away from the foundation of the home," advises Orkin Pest Control.

Can I store firewood on my porch?

A wood deck is an excellent place to store firewood. It doesn't have to be particularly high off the ground. On the contrary, even if your deck is just a few inches off the ground, it will stick serve as a barrier between your firewood and the moisture-rich soil.

Where is the best place to store fire wood?

Firewood is best stored outside. It should be stored neatly, with the outside of the wood exposed to the air. If possible, you should place the wood on top of plastic sheeting or in a wooden log store. Avoid tree cover if possible and don't leave the logs in a heap.

Oh No, Get More Towels!

Is it OK to stack firewood next to house?

Answer: Firewood storage attracts a number of pests including termites, other insects, and rodents. When you put firewood next to a building foundation, it's like leaving their favorite food right outside your door. I recommend that you keep any firewood at least five feet or more away from the foundation.

Is it OK to store firewood in garage?

Below are the best ways to store firewood: GARAGE – Not only will your wood stay dry, but it won't be covered in snow during winter. The only issue is that there isn't much airflow in a garage so you'll want to avoid stacking your wood in the garage if it's too wet.

Are dead trees good for firewood?

Yes, But You Should Consider the Species

It's generally safe to harvest firewood from a fallen tree. However, some trees offer better firewood than others, so you should consider the species of tree that has fallen on your lawn. Generally speaking, hardwood species offer better firewood than softwood species.

How do you keep firewood out of termites?

To store firewood to avoid termites, it is best to stack wood at least 20 to 30 feet from your home, preferably at the highest point of your yard, elevated on a span of 2 x 4's on cinder blocks at least eight inches off the ground, located in an area with plenty of direct sunlight.

Should firewood be covered in the summer?

A tarp or another similar cover should be loosely kept over the firewood, but should not be tightly wrapped around it or extended all the way to the ground. The idea is to protect the firewood from direct moisture and the weather elements, while still allowing proper air circulation.

Can I stack firewood against a brick house?

Having gravel as the base of your firewood storage area enhances drainage. Another option is to stack your wood on an existing brick, concrete, or paving stone patio. These hardscapes do not hold moisture like soil does, so this will help keep your pile drier.

Do wood piles attract mice?

Firewood piles are also enticing to both rats and mice. Piles of lumber like firewood can serve as shelter for rodents if they can access it from the ground. Discarded furniture, automobiles, any other items that may act as potential shelter are also attractive to rodents.

Can I store firewood in my basement?

It's recommended that firewood be stacked at least 20 to 30 feet away from the exterior of the home to keep pests away. Garage or basement – Instead of building a wood shed designed to store firewood, some New England homeowners opt to keep their firewood stacked in their garage or basement.

How do you store firewood in your yard?

You can buy a tarp at any hardware store. Simply lay the tarp over the firewood and tie it down to secure it. You can also weigh the tarp down with something like bricks. It's important to allow for some air circulation, as you don't want your firewood to get too dry.

How long is firewood good for?

Firewood can be stored for approximately four years without any issues. Burning slightly older wood is better because green, freshly cut firewood does not burn as well. To get the most of your firewood over time, store the wood raised off the bare ground in a sheltered location.

Can you store firewood in a deck box?

The answer is no, you shouldn't store firewood in a deck box due to the restricted airflow and trapped moisture. However, if you have seasoned wood, then you may go ahead with it if you have no other option.

How do I know if firewood has termites?

One of the first signs that there are termites within your firewood is the holes they leave behind. Termites like to burrow deep into the wood and eat the fibers. Termites will start to munch on one firewood log, then another, then another, and another. Before you know it, all your firewood is overrun with termites.

Can termites live in firewood?

Carpenter ants and termites may also be found in firewood that has been wet or stacked in one place for a long time. Termite colonies are in the soil, so only workers are found in the wood. Termites form mud tunnels and this mud can be found in wood that they are attacking.

Can you spray firewood for termites?

Never spray wood you intend to burn with insecticides. This won't kill insects inside the wood and can release dangerous toxins into your home when the wood is burned. Woodborers, which may also be found in firewood, can present a danger to any living trees of the same species.

Can wood get too old to burn?

As long as firewood is left to sit in the right conditions and free from moisture it won't go bad for many years. Once firewood has been seasoned for the right amount of time it should be stored off the ground, under a form of cover and open to the atmosphere to ensure that it doesn't rot.

How long after cutting down a tree can you burn the wood?

Green Wood

When a living tree is cut down, the timber needs to age or "season" for a minimum of six to nine months before burning. Freshly cut wood, called green wood, is loaded with sap (mostly water) and needs to dry out first.

How can you tell if wood is seasoned?

Seasoned wood will be darker in color than green wood, and may be cracking at the ends. Seasoned wood can also lighter in weight and the bark can be peeled off more easily than unseasoned wood. A moisture meter will be able to provide an accurate reading of whether firewood is fully seasoned or not.

Which way should a log store face?

Ideally your log store should be situated in a position where the open front receives maximum sunlight during the day to help evaporate any surface rain quickly, therefore facing south.

Can I burn unseasoned wood in my fireplace?

Burning unseasoned wood in a fireplace is never advisable, because unseasoned wood has a lot of moisture that causes it to smoke much more when burning. In addition, burning unseasoned wood increases the amount of creosote that builds up in your chimney, which can become dangerous.