Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1   Report Post  
Old 23-09-2004, 01:29 PM
Michelle Fulton
 
Posts: n/a
Default Bugs that make sawdust...

Hi, everyone :-) I have an issue that I hope someone in this group will be
able to help me with. I've read and posted to this group a couple of times
and was pleased with the knowledge and helpful attitude, so I'm back :-)

A recent storm brought down some large tree limbs in my mom's yard. She had
some people out to trim the trees and they cut it up into fireplace size
pieces (almost). I was the recipient of said firewood, which I have chosen
to store in the garage, instead of outside, because it stays dry and
relatively bug free, and rats won't nest in it if it's in the garage.
There's about a cord, or slightly less.

Anyway, I noticed a couple of days ago, these little piles of very fine
sawdust here and there amongst the logs, so there is something chewing
through the wood. Lots of somethings :-/ I saw one pile, looked like a
very small ant hill, that couldn't have come from wood above, because there
was no wood above it. This indicated to me that the creature was pushing
the wood up out of the log as it bores in, but when I cleared the little
pile, there was no hole :-?

Being a bit worried about bringing such creatures into my home, I set off
two insecticide bombs and closed the garage, as I left for the day. I had
already done this once, the day I brought the wood home, because there were
spiders in it. I came home many hours later last night and blew the piles
of sawdust away so I could see if they reappeared. I looked and looked, but
could never see any bugs. However, I could hear them. This is scaring
me!!!

Sooooooo, do any of you know of a creature that might do this? I believe
the majority of the wood is mulberry. Some of the piles of sawdust were 2
or 4 inches long and 1/2 inch deep at the deepest point. It is very fine.
I'm not totally sure it is not excretion, but it still looks just like the
wood so I'm thinking the bug isn't eating it. However, there were a couple
of piles that didn't get blown away, so I can examine the stuff more
thoroughly if needed. I have turned over logs that it looked like the stuff
must be coming from and see nothing. It is baffling, but I can see where
some branches might have been weakened enough to snap in a storm.

Thanks for any help!

--
Michelle
Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Life is short. Be determined to enjoy every minute of it!



  #2   Report Post  
Old 23-09-2004, 01:50 PM
Gary Brady
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Sounds like carpenter ants. They burrow into wood and produce a by-product
that looks like white cornmeal. If you listen carefullly, you can hear a
sound like chewing or munching. They're not really dangerous because they
don't eat wood like termites, they just live in it. Individual ants are
large, red and black, and don't sting.

--
Gary Brady
Austin, TX


"Michelle Fulton" wrote in message
...
Hi, everyone :-) I have an issue that I hope someone in this group will

be
able to help me with. I've read and posted to this group a couple of

times
and was pleased with the knowledge and helpful attitude, so I'm back :-)

A recent storm brought down some large tree limbs in my mom's yard. She

had
some people out to trim the trees and they cut it up into fireplace size
pieces (almost). I was the recipient of said firewood, which I have

chosen
to store in the garage, instead of outside, because it stays dry and
relatively bug free, and rats won't nest in it if it's in the garage.
There's about a cord, or slightly less.

Anyway, I noticed a couple of days ago, these little piles of very fine
sawdust here and there amongst the logs, so there is something chewing
through the wood. Lots of somethings :-/ I saw one pile, looked like a
very small ant hill, that couldn't have come from wood above, because

there
was no wood above it. This indicated to me that the creature was pushing
the wood up out of the log as it bores in, but when I cleared the little
pile, there was no hole :-?

Being a bit worried about bringing such creatures into my home, I set off
two insecticide bombs and closed the garage, as I left for the day. I had
already done this once, the day I brought the wood home, because there

were
spiders in it. I came home many hours later last night and blew the piles
of sawdust away so I could see if they reappeared. I looked and looked,

but
could never see any bugs. However, I could hear them. This is scaring
me!!!

Sooooooo, do any of you know of a creature that might do this? I believe
the majority of the wood is mulberry. Some of the piles of sawdust were 2
or 4 inches long and 1/2 inch deep at the deepest point. It is very fine.
I'm not totally sure it is not excretion, but it still looks just like the
wood so I'm thinking the bug isn't eating it. However, there were a

couple
of piles that didn't get blown away, so I can examine the stuff more
thoroughly if needed. I have turned over logs that it looked like the

stuff
must be coming from and see nothing. It is baffling, but I can see where
some branches might have been weakened enough to snap in a storm.

Thanks for any help!

--
Michelle
Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Life is short. Be determined to enjoy every minute of it!





  #3   Report Post  
Old 23-09-2004, 02:10 PM
Rusty Mase
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 06:29:38 -0500, "Michelle Fulton"
wrote:

Anyway, I noticed a couple of days ago, these little piles of very fine
sawdust here and there amongst the logs,


Wood borers. Larvae from several types of beetles. The look sort of
like June Bug larvae but are flatter. Sometimes they restrict their
tunnels to the area between the bark and the wood but some just bore
where they want.

Keep the wood pile away from the walls of your garage as they can get
into the wood of your home. Cover the pile with a clear plastic film
(drop cloth), sealing the bottom of the cover. The borers will mature
into beetles that can cause problems. Maybe after you cover it,
putting a few moth balls inside might control them.

Rusty Mase
  #4   Report Post  
Old 23-09-2004, 03:31 PM
Sew-Sew Lady
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Go out with a flashlight and look at the wood during the night. If there
are wood borers, you'll be able to see them crawling around at night.

"Rusty Mase" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 06:29:38 -0500, "Michelle Fulton"
wrote:

Anyway, I noticed a couple of days ago, these little piles of very fine
sawdust here and there amongst the logs,


Wood borers. Larvae from several types of beetles. The look sort of
like June Bug larvae but are flatter. Sometimes they restrict their
tunnels to the area between the bark and the wood but some just bore
where they want.

Keep the wood pile away from the walls of your garage as they can get
into the wood of your home. Cover the pile with a clear plastic film
(drop cloth), sealing the bottom of the cover. The borers will mature
into beetles that can cause problems. Maybe after you cover it,
putting a few moth balls inside might control them.

Rusty Mase



  #5   Report Post  
Old 23-09-2004, 03:55 PM
Rusty Mase
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 13:31:50 GMT, "Sew-Sew Lady"
wrote:

Go out with a flashlight and look at the wood during the night. If there
are wood borers, you'll be able to see them crawling around at night.


I do not know if that would work. If you just have to see them, find
a piece of wood they are working on and pry off the bark. That should
expose their tunnels and possibly one of the larvae. The most common
are called Flathead Borers. There is another group is called the
"Long-horned Beetles" or Cerambycidae, if you are interested in
searching for details.

You might find the adult beetles at night after they emerge using a
flashlight. I think the larvae pretty well restrict themselves to
staying inside the wood. The soft grinding noise you can hear is the
larvae gnawing up the wood. The "sawdust" is actually their
excrement.

Rusty Mase


  #6   Report Post  
Old 23-09-2004, 05:21 PM
Michelle Fulton
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"Rusty Mase" wrote in message
You might find the adult beetles at night after they emerge using a
flashlight. I think the larvae pretty well restrict themselves to
staying inside the wood. The soft grinding noise you can hear is the
larvae gnawing up the wood. The "sawdust" is actually their
excrement.


Okie, dokie. Thanks to everyone for the info/ideas. I'll do some more
checking tonight or tomorrow. If it is borers, shouldn't I be worried about
them infesting my trees??? Is there a way to kill them?

Thanks!

--
Michelle
Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Life is short. Be determined to enjoy every minute of it!


  #7   Report Post  
Old 23-09-2004, 06:19 PM
Rusty Mase
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 10:21:53 -0500, "Michelle Fulton"
wrote:

If it is borers, shouldn't I be worried about
them infesting my trees??? Is there a way to kill them?


I would use the clear plastic cover to keep them from escaping and
moth balls as a fumigant as the borers will slowly turn your firewood
stack into a pile of sawdust.

They get into living trees and can do serious damage. You would need
an arborist to assess that situation and prescribe remedies.

I have seen Lindane used to control wood borers in the past (peach
orchards) and hopefully that is illegal now in the US. I think I have
heard of wood borers infesting houses and to get rid of them you have
to cover the whole house in plastic film and fumigate inside the cover
using what I do not know.

Rusty Mase
  #8   Report Post  
Old 23-09-2004, 06:33 PM
Michelle Fulton
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"Rusty Mase" wrote in message
If it is borers, shouldn't I be worried about
them infesting my trees??? Is there a way to kill them?


I would use the clear plastic cover to keep them from escaping and
moth balls as a fumigant as the borers will slowly turn your firewood
stack into a pile of sawdust.

They get into living trees and can do serious damage. You would need
an arborist to assess that situation and prescribe remedies.

I have seen Lindane used to control wood borers in the past (peach
orchards) and hopefully that is illegal now in the US. I think I have
heard of wood borers infesting houses and to get rid of them you have
to cover the whole house in plastic film and fumigate inside the cover
using what I do not know.


OH SHIT!!! I'm gettin' some plastic and mothballs today, but I'll have to
move the stack to get it away from the wall. It's a big stack :-( What do
these suckers look like after they've matured, so I'll know if they are
maturing yet. I assume that is when I need to worry about the house and/or
live tree infestation????

--
Michelle
Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Life is short. Be determined to enjoy every minute of it!


  #9   Report Post  
Old 23-09-2004, 06:55 PM
Rusty Mase
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 11:33:54 -0500, "Michelle Fulton"
wrote:

It's a big stack :-(


You just need to move it several inches away from the wall so you can
pull the plastic drop cloth over the back and drop, say a 2" by 4"
piece of lumber down to seal the plastic to the floor. Use clear
plastic so the beetles cannot find gaps and holes easily.

What do these suckers look like after they've matured, so I'll know if they are
maturing yet.


One group looks like large Click Beetles and the other has long
antennaes and very hard shells. So large(er), narrow beetles,
especially ones with antennae that are at least half as long as the
body. Mostly they are over 1/2 inch long, maybe 3/4 inch long with
some to 1 inch long, especially the ones with long antennaes.

Rusty Mase
  #10   Report Post  
Old 23-09-2004, 07:50 PM
Cindy
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Good Lord, I'd be inclined to haul the whole pile to the dump.

Cindy




  #11   Report Post  
Old 23-09-2004, 08:08 PM
Katra
 
Posts: n/a
Default

In article ,
"Michelle Fulton" wrote:

Hi, everyone :-) I have an issue that I hope someone in this group will be
able to help me with. I've read and posted to this group a couple of times
and was pleased with the knowledge and helpful attitude, so I'm back :-)

A recent storm brought down some large tree limbs in my mom's yard. She had
some people out to trim the trees and they cut it up into fireplace size
pieces (almost). I was the recipient of said firewood, which I have chosen
to store in the garage, instead of outside, because it stays dry and
relatively bug free, and rats won't nest in it if it's in the garage.
There's about a cord, or slightly less.

Anyway, I noticed a couple of days ago, these little piles of very fine
sawdust here and there amongst the logs, so there is something chewing
through the wood. Lots of somethings :-/ I saw one pile, looked like a
very small ant hill, that couldn't have come from wood above, because there
was no wood above it. This indicated to me that the creature was pushing
the wood up out of the log as it bores in, but when I cleared the little
pile, there was no hole :-?

Being a bit worried about bringing such creatures into my home, I set off
two insecticide bombs and closed the garage, as I left for the day. I had
already done this once, the day I brought the wood home, because there were
spiders in it. I came home many hours later last night and blew the piles
of sawdust away so I could see if they reappeared. I looked and looked, but
could never see any bugs. However, I could hear them. This is scaring
me!!!

Sooooooo, do any of you know of a creature that might do this? I believe
the majority of the wood is mulberry. Some of the piles of sawdust were 2
or 4 inches long and 1/2 inch deep at the deepest point. It is very fine.
I'm not totally sure it is not excretion, but it still looks just like the
wood so I'm thinking the bug isn't eating it. However, there were a couple
of piles that didn't get blown away, so I can examine the stuff more
thoroughly if needed. I have turned over logs that it looked like the stuff
must be coming from and see nothing. It is baffling, but I can see where
some branches might have been weakened enough to snap in a storm.

Thanks for any help!


Probably carpenter ants!

I'd treat the wood thoroughly before bringing it indoors!

K.
--
Sprout the MungBean to reply

"One man's god is another man's devil (and vice versa) as far as
I'm concerned." --Delta Nine
  #12   Report Post  
Old 23-09-2004, 08:08 PM
Katra
 
Posts: n/a
Default

But they _will_ infest wood in the house frames....

I'd not risk it without making sure I killed them off!

K.


In article et,
"Gary Brady" wrote:

Sounds like carpenter ants. They burrow into wood and produce a by-product
that looks like white cornmeal. If you listen carefullly, you can hear a
sound like chewing or munching. They're not really dangerous because they
don't eat wood like termites, they just live in it. Individual ants are
large, red and black, and don't sting.

--
Gary Brady
Austin, TX


"Michelle Fulton" wrote in message
...
Hi, everyone :-) I have an issue that I hope someone in this group will

be
able to help me with. I've read and posted to this group a couple of

times
and was pleased with the knowledge and helpful attitude, so I'm back :-)

A recent storm brought down some large tree limbs in my mom's yard. She

had
some people out to trim the trees and they cut it up into fireplace size
pieces (almost). I was the recipient of said firewood, which I have

chosen
to store in the garage, instead of outside, because it stays dry and
relatively bug free, and rats won't nest in it if it's in the garage.
There's about a cord, or slightly less.

Anyway, I noticed a couple of days ago, these little piles of very fine
sawdust here and there amongst the logs, so there is something chewing
through the wood. Lots of somethings :-/ I saw one pile, looked like a
very small ant hill, that couldn't have come from wood above, because

there
was no wood above it. This indicated to me that the creature was pushing
the wood up out of the log as it bores in, but when I cleared the little
pile, there was no hole :-?

Being a bit worried about bringing such creatures into my home, I set off
two insecticide bombs and closed the garage, as I left for the day. I had
already done this once, the day I brought the wood home, because there

were
spiders in it. I came home many hours later last night and blew the piles
of sawdust away so I could see if they reappeared. I looked and looked,

but
could never see any bugs. However, I could hear them. This is scaring
me!!!

Sooooooo, do any of you know of a creature that might do this? I believe
the majority of the wood is mulberry. Some of the piles of sawdust were 2
or 4 inches long and 1/2 inch deep at the deepest point. It is very fine.
I'm not totally sure it is not excretion, but it still looks just like the
wood so I'm thinking the bug isn't eating it. However, there were a

couple
of piles that didn't get blown away, so I can examine the stuff more
thoroughly if needed. I have turned over logs that it looked like the

stuff
must be coming from and see nothing. It is baffling, but I can see where
some branches might have been weakened enough to snap in a storm.

Thanks for any help!

--
Michelle
Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Life is short. Be determined to enjoy every minute of it!





--
Sprout the MungBean to reply

"One man's god is another man's devil (and vice versa) as far as
I'm concerned." --Delta Nine
  #13   Report Post  
Old 24-09-2004, 12:16 AM
Michelle Fulton
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"Cindy" wrote in message

Good Lord, I'd be inclined to haul the whole pile to the dump.


LOL :-) This is what I've decided to do!!! So much for free firewood :-(

--
Michelle
Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Life is short. Be determined to enjoy every minute of it!


  #14   Report Post  
Old 24-09-2004, 08:32 PM
David
 
Posts: n/a
Default

They're not really dangerous because they
don't eat wood like termites, they just live in it. Individual ants are
large, red and black, and don't sting.


This isn't entirely true. They can cause structural damage and you
DEFINITELY don't want them in your house.



--
Gary Brady
Austin, TX


"Michelle Fulton" wrote in message
...
Hi, everyone :-) I have an issue that I hope someone in this group will

be
able to help me with. I've read and posted to this group a couple of

times
and was pleased with the knowledge and helpful attitude, so I'm back :-)

A recent storm brought down some large tree limbs in my mom's yard. She

had
some people out to trim the trees and they cut it up into fireplace size
pieces (almost). I was the recipient of said firewood, which I have

chosen
to store in the garage, instead of outside, because it stays dry and
relatively bug free, and rats won't nest in it if it's in the garage.
There's about a cord, or slightly less.

Anyway, I noticed a couple of days ago, these little piles of very fine
sawdust here and there amongst the logs, so there is something chewing
through the wood. Lots of somethings :-/ I saw one pile, looked like a
very small ant hill, that couldn't have come from wood above, because

there
was no wood above it. This indicated to me that the creature was

pushing
the wood up out of the log as it bores in, but when I cleared the little
pile, there was no hole :-?

Being a bit worried about bringing such creatures into my home, I set

off
two insecticide bombs and closed the garage, as I left for the day. I

had
already done this once, the day I brought the wood home, because there

were
spiders in it. I came home many hours later last night and blew the

piles
of sawdust away so I could see if they reappeared. I looked and looked,

but
could never see any bugs. However, I could hear them. This is scaring
me!!!

Sooooooo, do any of you know of a creature that might do this? I

believe
the majority of the wood is mulberry. Some of the piles of sawdust were

2
or 4 inches long and 1/2 inch deep at the deepest point. It is very

fine.
I'm not totally sure it is not excretion, but it still looks just like

the
wood so I'm thinking the bug isn't eating it. However, there were a

couple
of piles that didn't get blown away, so I can examine the stuff more
thoroughly if needed. I have turned over logs that it looked like the

stuff
must be coming from and see nothing. It is baffling, but I can see

where
some branches might have been weakened enough to snap in a storm.

Thanks for any help!

--
Michelle
Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Life is short. Be determined to enjoy every minute of it!







  #15   Report Post  
Old 28-09-2004, 06:33 AM
oknwht?
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On 9/23/04 4:29 AM, in article , "Michelle
Fulton" wrote:

Hi, everyone :-) I have an issue that I hope someone in this group will be
able to help me with. I've read and posted to this group a couple of times
and was pleased with the knowledge and helpful attitude, so I'm back :-)

You wouldn't be just looking for email addresses would you? Mine is
accurate...if I didn't get junk mail just how would I spend my time??


A recent storm brought down some large tree limbs in my mom's yard.

Ouch. No one was injured I trust.
She had
some people out to trim the trees and they cut it up into fireplace size
pieces (almost).

Almost? Do you need a bigger fireplace...I would guess putting them in
sideways won't work...
I was the recipient of said firewood, which I have chosen
to store in the garage, instead of outside, because it stays dry

Good choice. When it comes to firewood-dry is good!
and
relatively bug free,

Did you know that some 'bugs' are predators and are good?

and rats won't nest in it if it's in the garage.

They won't? You have, of course, spoken to the rats about this particular
topic?
There's about a cord, or slightly less.

Is it less because of the bugs? Wow, they sure eat fast!

Anyway, I noticed a couple of days ago, these little piles of very fine
sawdust here and there amongst the logs, so there is something chewing
through the wood. Lots of somethings :-/ I saw one pile, looked like a
very small ant hill, that couldn't have come from wood above, because there
was no wood above it. This indicated to me that the creature

Creature usually means 'one'....do you mean creatures? I don't remember
anyone calling a bug a creature...anywhere....
was pushing
the wood up out of the log as it bores in, but when I cleared the little
pile, there was no hole :-?

I too am puzzled...

Being a bit worried about bringing such creatures into my home, I set off
two insecticide bombs and closed the garage, as I left for the day. I had
already done this once, the day I brought the wood home, because there were
spiders in it.

Oops...spiders are one of the predator bugs I mention above...they eat the
bad bugs! Maybe they would eat the wood eating...whatever they are
bugs...but alas you have killed them with your bombs...I might suggest that
'bombs' should not be used at anytime...it kills the good bugs also. In fact
it will kill all the good bugs and leave the bad bugs to carry on. Why?
Because of the number of good bugs versus bad bugs. I'll explain that
later...if you want.
I came home many hours later last night and blew the piles
of sawdust away so I could see if they reappeared. I looked and looked, but
could never see any bugs. However, I could hear them.

Where they singing? Did you recognize the tune? It wasn't the Beatles was
it? Did you notice an English accent.....?
This is scaring
me!!!

Oh, they were off key...nothing to be scared of. I sing off key all the
time...for effect of course.

Sooooooo, do any of you know of a creature that might do this? I believe
the majority of the wood is mulberry. Some of the piles of sawdust were 2
or 4 inches long and 1/2 inch deep at the deepest point. It is very fine.

Are you saying that there work was very fine...that is a mighty fine
compliment...
I'm not totally sure it is not excretion, but it still looks just like the
wood so I'm thinking the bug isn't eating it. However, there were a couple
of piles that didn't get blown away, so I can examine the stuff more
thoroughly if needed. I have turned over logs that it looked like the stuff
must be coming from and see nothing.

Don't tell me you go blind at that time! You can still see the log, can't
you??!
It is baffling,

But you can still see???
but I can see where
some branches might have been weakened enough to snap in a storm.

How can they snap in a storm...the wood is in the garage, isn't it?...are
you in Florida? If you are, get out right away! You will have more to worry
about than bugs in your sawdust pile...I mean wood pile than bugs! Move to
Canada, we only have snow storms to worry about...at least so far...

Thanks for any help!

Gary
PS: My message is meant to be humorous and I trust that I have offended no
one. The main point I wanted to make was that spiders are predators...it may
not be a good idea to kill them.
PSS: There are companies that sell firewood in clear plastic bags. Why not
but your firewood in clear plastic bags. Seal them shut. That will ensure no
bugs get into your house. Getting free firewood is a nice thing. There is
nothing like a nice fire in the fireplace. Did you know that it is also a
renewable resource?


Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules

Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Old Sawdust - not about sawdust that's for sure Salty Thumb Gardening 0 30-04-2004 04:03 AM
Efficacy of sawdust, was, Old Sawdust David J Bockman Gardening 1 28-04-2004 08:06 PM
bugs bugs bugs! MLL United Kingdom 15 24-08-2003 04:42 AM
Fresh sawdust as soil amendment??? Joe Jamies United Kingdom 3 28-03-2003 02:32 AM
Fresh sawdust as soil amendment??? Joe Jamies Gardening 4 27-03-2003 07:56 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:19 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 GardenBanter.co.uk.
The comments are property of their posters.
 

About Us

"It's about Gardening"

 

Copyright © 2017