Is storing wood in my basement asking for bug trouble?

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1869_Caboose said:
I searched a few threads on this topic before posting my own because none quite answered my qwuestion. So here it is. My dad said that after the wood comes into the basement it dries out and the bugs die since they won't live in wood that is not getting moisture. I don't havew the heart to question him right now but I'm a little suspect of that response. So what do you think? Is it safe to leave a cord in my basement over the summer?
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Me . . . I like keeping the bulk of my wood outside and away from my house . . . but under cover in the woodshed . . . but that's just me. I have a friend who stores his wood in the basement. My friend claims the wood is OK to burn, but does find some bugs . . . no carpenter ants or anything like that . . . but enough to make a mess in his basement.

As for the basement drying out the wood . . . I would season my wood outdoors in any case . . . many basements are cool and sometimes even damp . . . just the opposite of what you want to season your wood.

So short answer . . . I suppose you could store some wood in your basement . . . some folks do . . . I wouldn't count on the wood seasoning and there may be some bug problems . . . but in the end it's your call.
 
We have been storing 9 plus full cords in basement for 40 years.
I think its like everything else it depends on the local conditions. We have no termites or carpenter ants here. That's a big consideration. Seeing as we are snowed in with 30' plus every year having the wood in basement is not just convenient but necessary. We have no mouse problems by the wood. Mind you we do get the odd mouse but they do not set up home in the wood.
One big advantage is we do not heat the basement. It stays below 45F all winter and dips to 34F when it's -50 out. I think that discourages the mice at least it makes them want to move upstairs. We keep the basement cool for our preps. The food storage such as our garden raised produce is critical to our lifestyle and so the basement will stay cool.
 
snowtime said:
We have been storing 9 plus full cords in basement for 40 years.
I think its like everything else it depends on the local conditions. We have no termites or carpenter ants here. That's a big consideration. Seeing as we are snowed in with 30' plus every year having the wood in basement is not just convenient but necessary. We have no mouse problems by the wood. Mind you we do get the odd mouse but they do not set up home in the wood.
One big advantage is we do not heat the basement. It stays below 45F all winter and dips to 34F when it's -50 out. I think that discourages the mice at least it makes them want to move upstairs. We keep the basement cool for our preps. The food storage such as our garden raised produce is critical to our lifestyle and so the basement will stay cool.
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Are you putting fresh cut wood down here or is the wood allowed time to season outside before going to the basement?

pen
 
Geographic location seems to be predominant difference in the replies here.. We have no termites here (that I'm aware off), few carpenter ants (but I'm always on the watch for them as they did get into my boat house one year) so those are not real concerns for us. Mice are everywhere around here, the cats love 'em. My wood dries outside all summer and gets stored in the basement mid to late Nov. which I keep at (minimum) 55*F with the help of a ceiling mounted 4500 watt industrial heater w/fan and weekend fires in the basement stove. My preference is to spray for any bugs and let the cats handle any mice rather than me lugging wood through snow all winter.
 
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