Storing Firewood: Tips to Avoid Keep Wood Fire-ready While Avoiding Termites

How should I be storing and maintaining my firewood supply? I heard that storing wood too close to the house can invite termites.

[mai_avatar size="40" margin_right="-4px"][post_author_posts_link before=" by "][post_date before=" — "][mai_icon icon="comment-alt-lines" style="light" display="inline-block" size="1em" margin_left="12px" margin_right="-8px" margin_bottom="-4px"][post_comments][post_sponsor][shared_counts]

How should I be storing and maintaining my firewood supply? I heard that storing wood too close to the house can invite termites.

Our Answer

When storing firewood, air circulation and safety are the two main things to keep in mind as you stack up and store your fuel supply. Mixed with moisture and easy access to the structures on your property, a firewood stack can become a termite buffet. What’s more, wet wood doesn’t burn very efficiently, putting out more steam than heat. Start by finding a dry, safe home for the firewood, whether in an open air woodshed or free-standing stack. Keep stored firewood out of contact with the ground using a stack base of treated wood or other moisture resistant material, and avoid stationing the firewood stack against an exterior wall of your home, as a pocket of moisture can develop and damage siding as well as welcome termites and other pests. Cut firewood to the longest possible length for stacking stability (a single row is best), and pack it snugly but with enough space to allow airflow and discourage the development of mold and mildew. Four feet is about the maximum height your stored firewood stack should reach without side supports, and an even, no-slope arrangement should allow easy access to the firewood, while maintaining stability. Finally, shield the top few layers of ready-to-use firewood with a waterproof cover, adjusting it as you remove the fuel for indoor warmth.