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! |
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! |
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 |
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 |
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 |
"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! |
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 |
"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! |
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 |
Good Lord, I'd be inclined to haul the whole pile to the dump.
Cindy |
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 |
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 |
"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! |
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! |
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"oknwht?" wrote in message
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? I took it as humorous :-) I know spiders are predators. I don't know where you are from, but spiders can be very dangerous here. The reason I sprayed the garage was because the guys that helped move the wood both had bites on their arms and spiders were the only crawling things I saw. I didn't want to introduce them into my house. It's not like I destroyed a natural environment. I sprayed my garage, for God's sake! Anyway, firewood doesn't come sealed, nor with enough plastic to seal it and it costs a stupid amount when purchased in small bundles at the store, the likes of which is not guaranteed to be bug-free. And, yes, I love a fire in the fireplace, don't have a job and was totally out of firewood, so I'm thinking free is good and lower electric bill is also good.... Thanks for the laughs :-) BTW, I sprayed again today, because I noticed that the piles of pulp poop are not reemerging, so.....either spraying is having some effect on the varmints, or they have reached the stage of development where they stop eating and start morphing, in which case, I better get the shit outa my garage before I have a house full of them. Actually, I was going to look up the development stages/timing for the region/climate, etc.... If someone knows right off hand, it would save me some much needed time.....hint, hint :-) I have discrete math test and digital logic test to prepare for :-( -- Michelle Fort Worth, Texas, USA Life is short. Be determined to enjoy every minute of it! |
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"oknwht?" wrote in message news:BD803BC0.E525%
I'm in Canada, on the west coast. We don't have seriously dangerous spiders here. I can understand your concern when there are dangerous spiders around. Ah, I see. Beautiful country :-) Even more so without dangerous insects :-) Without belaboring the point, I am concerned about the world wide use of chemicals. My point being-one garage here, one garage there...just how many garages are being sprayed through out the world? The only thing I can control is what I use. So I don't. In all honesty I'm not sure just what I would do if I lived in your neck of the woods. Maybe a fly swatter? Dynamite?? (snicker) Only kidding about the dynamite....:) I understand your point and do try to minimize the use of chemicals here. I have to have a specific problem in order to use them anymore, for the same reasons you have. It may take some work but my suggestion was to put your firewood in clear plastic bags. Then seal them shut. That may be a totally unworkable idea, but it is a suggestion and as you say you are out of firewood. It would take more time and effort than it's worth at the moment, but I may consider it in the future, when I'm not trying to do so many other things. Hold it! Have you identified the critters...for sure?? To figure out their life cycle, just what they are needs to be determined. They may even be harmless...now that would be a bonus!!! No, I have yet to see a creature, so am sure they are inside the logs. They were producing sawdust poop at an alarming rate. My imagination has run away with me, thinking of my house frame ending up as bug poop :-o They may have been erradicated or gone into pupae stage (or whatever you call it). I did email the county ag extension, but they haven't responded, and I just don't have the time to take samples to them and all. Life will be simpler soon. There is light at the end of the tunne. I keep telling myself these things, in hope that I will believe it and it will come true :-) Good luck in your exams. Thanks! Some good, some not so good, but that's balance, right :-) -- Michelle Fort Worth, Texas, USA Life is short. Be determined to enjoy every minute of it! |
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"oknwht?" wrote in message news:BD813A59.E586%
Well, OK. But my suggestion is to get someone to help out. A neighbour...someone down the street....next door...a class mate...anyone!! Who is willing to split the wood and find a 'critter'. Maybe there are no critters. Someone did mention a harmless 'bug' that gets in between the bark and the wood leaving 'sawdust'...that 'bug' may be harmless to the structure of your home. That at least will allow you to keep the firewood. A fire place fire is nice as you know.... Good idea. I think I'll ask my boyfriend to do the honors :-) Life is never simple but a light at the end of the tunnel means there are better times ahead. It also means that you have accomplished much...that is what provides the light!! Believe it or not. I like that perspective....very positive :-) Yup. Build on your successes and work on the others...:) Take care Good luck with the bug problem...maybe it is no bug at all...get some help... Some local help...CIAO Merci, Muchas Gracias and Thanks a bunch :-) -- Michelle Fort Worth, Texas, USA Life is short. Be determined to enjoy every minute of it! |
(very big snip)
Merci, Muchas Gracias and Thanks a bunch :-) You are welcome...let me know what you find....if you don't I will always wonder...(snicker)... PS: Thanks for the thanks...:) |
"oknwht?" wrote in message
... (very big snip) Merci, Muchas Gracias and Thanks a bunch :-) You are welcome...let me know what you find....if you don't I will always wonder...(snicker)... PS: Thanks for the thanks...:) Never did figure out what was eating the wood. I couldn't find the critters and the ag extension just responded with "get the wood out of your house", but I did manage to get rid of the wood :-) Thanks to all for your ideas and suggestions! -- Michelle Fort Worth, Texas, USA Life is short. Be determined to enjoy every minute of it! |
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oknwht? wrote:
Who or what is 'the ag extension'? And just what do they know about a Um, this is an Austin, TX newsgroup. The 'ag extension' is an office of the Texas A&M University (State funded) in each county in the state of Texas (452 of them I think), which is available to assist all citizens of the state with questions regarding agriculture, horticulture, arboriculture, etc. - all things botanical. And they would know a lot about it . . . |
On 10/28/04 12:51 PM, in article ,
"God Bless Texas" wrote: oknwht? wrote: Who or what is 'the ag extension'? And just what do they know about a Um, this is an Austin, TX newsgroup. The 'ag extension' is an office of the Texas A&M University (State funded) in each county in the state of Texas (452 of them I think), which is available to assist all citizens of the state with questions regarding agriculture, horticulture, arboriculture, etc. - all things botanical. And they would know a lot about it . . . I have a question. What is the name of the 'bug' that was causing the problem or did the wood have bugosis? Just wondering.... |
Gardener wrote:
I have a question. What is the name of the 'bug' that was causing the problem or did the wood have bugosis? Just wondering.... Wood bugosis is way more common in Texas than it is other places. Probably something like a click-beetle. A streamlined, tough little beetle whose larvae live in wood. |
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