Locust Borers

[Danno77]

Danged bugs all over my nice firewood. I got about 5 truckloads from a friend that was clearing a few trees for some more tillable acres.

They are aggressive suckers, they will "attack" you if you get close. At first I didn't know what was happening, and maybe I freaked out and swatted and ran around in circles like a little school girl being chased by a boy with cooties.

When I calmed down I took a picture and did a search on this forum and the internet. Tried spraying them with ant killer. They weren't phased at all by that. Then got out the Wasp/Hornet spray and that seemed to kill and repel them. Just a note for anybody who might run into them. I absolutely cannot believe the quantity of them that essentially came from what looks like solid wood. I also can't believe how aggressive they are for being such an otherwise nonthreatening bug. That and they were all mating like crazy.

Anyhoo, I got some good firewood out of the deal and plan on splitting and stacking this all as fast as I can get to it. I still don't know what to do with all this danged firewood that has these giant three inch thorns on it, maybe I should throw that stuff out because it's such a hassle.

 

[Danno77]

I couldn't edit the title, but I'm changing my story and that these are more likely Hickory Borers (adults active in spring vs fall for locust borers)

 

[blujacket]

Had those in a big Ash I scrounged last year. I thought they were a Wasp of some kind until I googled them. Once It was split and started drying they left.

 

[bogydave]

Trouble is they leave & infect the first tree of the right type they come to.
Maybe cover the pile with a sheet of plastic, tarp etc & hit it with a pesticide smoke bomb.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Danged bugs all over my nice firewood. I got about 5 truckloads from a friend that was clearing a few trees for some more tillable acres.

They are aggressive suckers, they will "attack" you if you get close. At first I didn't know what was happening, and maybe I freaked out and swatted and ran around in circles like a little school girl being chased by a boy with cooties.

When I calmed down I took a picture and did a search on this forum and the internet. Tried spraying them with ant killer. They weren't phased at all by that. Then got out the Wasp/Hornet spray and that seemed to kill and repel them. Just a note for anybody who might run into them. I absolutely cannot believe the quantity of them that essentially came from what looks like solid wood. I also can't believe how aggressive they are for being such an otherwise nonthreatening bug. That and they were all mating like crazy.

Anyhoo, I got some good firewood out of the deal and plan on splitting and stacking this all as fast as I can get to it. I still don't know what to do with all this danged firewood that has these giant three inch thorns on it, maybe I should throw that stuff out because it's such a hassle.

Well Danno, what are you like when mating like crazy? Aggressive?! Maybe a little biting? OMG!

 

[WellSeasoned]

I had some of them living in a downed ash tree I was cutting. I think that was there winter home. I too took them as some species of bees.

 

[blwncrewchief]

Well Danno, what are you like when mating like crazy? Aggressive?! Maybe a little biting? OMG!

T.M.I. Dennis. ha ha ha...

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Not sure what T.M.I. is but it sounds like it is good so I'll buy it.

 

[Locust Post]

Not sure what T.M.I. is but it sounds like it is good so I'll buy it.

I think that would be "too much information" Sav..... TMI

 

[Mr A]

I've got those bugs coming out like crazy in the warm weather. They live in the mulberry here.

 

[Danno77]

Funny you say that, a good bit of this wood is mulberry. There is a bunch of Honey locust, oak, and mulberry. There was a little elm, and I think there is some ash mixed in it. I don't think I remember seeing ANY hickory.

 

[ScotO]

You ought to see the tiny bees coming out of my honey locust splits.......
Did some research and found out they are called gypsy bees. Just as their name, they more-or-less live a solitary life after mating. Wee little buggers (around d half the size of a honeybee) with a greenish tint to them.....