Bugs in the firewood

[maverick06]

Well, I noticed that my firewood has some sort of bug in it. When I stacked it, There was no sign of any creatures, but there is now. The wood is stacked outside, in a covered, 3 sided, wood shed, with the wood stacked on old paver stones over the dirt.

The wood is 4 cords of a mix of ash and walnut (i think black walnut as its very dark wood). it appears as if the bugs only attacked the bark to wood interface on only the ash. I havent seen any holes in the walnut, and not in the solid wood of the ash. There is a lot of sawdust from these holes. I havent seen anything living on them, and the bark is tightly adhered, so I havent been able to pull it back. I assumed it was the emerald ash borer, but I think the holes are too small. I know the picture isnt great, but its the best i could do.

Any idea what i am dealing with here? I usually bring in enough wood for my wife to load the fireplace during the day, but i am concerned about bringing this in, or even stacking it near the house. I will end up burning it, but not sure how concerned i should be about it, especially since i will not be able to burn all the wood this year, its been too warm! I dont want whatever this is infesting the house, or eating it.

Thanks,

 

[tigeroak]

I am burning the same wood with the same signs and have for a few years with no problem. You will once in a while find one that comes back to life but not very often once brought in. My wife hates bugs but likes the heat better.

 

[LocustPocust]

I've seen those little holes in some Ash I've been burning lately. I remember seeing some odd dark red ants back in the latter part of the Spring. I let them be and they went away. I've never seen any in the house.

 

[Donk4kyv]

Can anyone tell me what these little critters are? I find them inside logs when I split, residing in tunnels they bore in the wood. I think they're kinda cute but they gross my wife out.

 

[CincyBurner]

Borer ID links:
http://ento.psu.edu/extension/trees-shrubs/emerald-ash-borer/factsheets/EAentoweb.okstate.edu/ddd/insects/redheadedashborer.htm
Good discussion about differences and ID - http://bygl.osu.edu/content/all-borers-are-not-equal-0
http://entoweb.okstate.edu/ddd/insects/redheadedashborer.htm - For the OP this should address your concern should some emerge in your home, particularly this quote, "species often emerge from firewood brought into homes in the late winter or early spring. They cause no damage in homes but are a nuisance pest."

Larger holes (oval or round) one of our native borers - in ash either flat headed or clear-wing,
Larger D-shaped hole - the infamous EAB.
Small scattered holes = ash bark beetles "shot-hole borers" opportunistic bores that infest stressed/ dying trees.

Can anyone tell me what these little critters are?

Flat Headed Borer - http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5320268.pdf

 

[Pellet_Pete]

Borer ID links:
http://ento.psu.edu/extension/trees-shrubs/emerald-ash-borer/factsheets/EAentoweb.okstate.edu/ddd/insects/redheadedashborer.htm
Good discussion about differences and ID - http://bygl.osu.edu/content/all-borers-are-not-equal-0
http://entoweb.okstate.edu/ddd/insects/redheadedashborer.htm - For the OP this should address your concern should some emerge in your home, particularly this quote, "species often emerge from firewood brought into homes in the late winter or early spring. They cause no damage in homes but are a nuisance pest."
Larger holes (oval or round) one of our native borers - in ash either flat headed or clear-wing,
Larger D-shaped hole - the infamous EAB.
Small scattered holes = ash bark beetles "shot-hole borers" opportunistic bores that infest stressed/ dying trees.
Flat Headed Borer - http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5320268.pdf

Nice work Cincy! Definitely looks like buprestid larvae. First impression is that they're not EAB.

 

[Donk4kyv]

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5320268.pdf

Thanks.

Yep, looks like them (Fig. 3) exactly. Fits the profile: white oak and hickory, felled when the power company re-cleared right of way through the back field about a year ago; logs stayed on the ground until recently dragged to the house and processed. Can't see much of a threat residing in dead trees and cut firewood, so I won't worry about them. Multiple species of borers in nearly every piece of downed tree for as long as we have burnt wood; I'm sure they have always been there.

 

[CentralVAWoodHeat]

I keep a full week's supply of wood in the house at a time and have similar markings on a lot of my wood. Except for having to put down an ant bait once or twice a season, I've never had any issues with pests....except for stink bugs.

 

[Applesister]

I stack alot of wood inside and my preference for buggy wood handling is to go directly to the stove from outside stacks. It's a simple peace of mind thing. Just an extra step precaution thing. Not too much more effort.
Also when I process, the really bad stuff has its own place. That becomes outside fireplace wood, or the first wood that gets burned. By having it stacked by itself I know enough to check it or be cautious with it.
Usually bythe time you see holes the creatures have already eaten their fill and have vacated.
Holes you see are exit holes. Lol.