I’ve been seeing a lot of wood ants around my firewood pile. I see saw dust like something is grinding up the wood and I’m pretty sure it’s the wood ants. Is there anything I can spray on the wood that won’t be toxic to burn?
Wood ants, also known as carpenter ants, like to nest in wood as explained in our carpenter ant article. They don’t eat the wood but rather bore through it creating voids in which they nest. Firewood piles are common places for such activity and will almost always attract wood ants if left untreated.
First, locate the wood pile as far away from your home as you can. This will help to decrease the likelihood that they’ll create a nest on the house. Next, treat the wood with Diatomaceous Earth using a Hand Duster. This will both kill them on contact and keep them away. Apply as needed throughout the season. This should keep them controlled but if you find the dust isn’t working well enough, get some of the Termidor and spray it around the base of the pile. This way any ants coming to or leaving the wood pile will be affected and this will keep the area wood ant nest free.