Critters in the wood

[Scott Regenbogen]

Ok this is gross but you know the old joke: Q. What's worse than biting into an apple and finding a worm? A. Finding half a worm...well how about turning a chunk of dogwood and turning off the lathe and finding half cut up larvae? Pretty nasty. Anyone know if termite larvae would be found in NC this time of year? Or else what other gross guys would be living in my wood pile?
Also if this does happen to be termites, does that mean that any wood nearby would be compromised?

 

[MichaelMouse]

Termite infestation comes on slower than beetle infestation. It's also a colony critter, which means one grub is almost certainly not a termite, but a beetle. Your pile might have a lot of them, or you might have a species-specific type. Only way to tell is to look. Dust under the pile from their chewing is the second most reliable indicator.

Fumigate your wood with moth balls before turning, and store off the ground in the future. Little distance is all you need for termites.

 

[Joe Greiner]

Probably best to assume critters are everywhere. Powder-post beetles also come to mind. But consider them as "assistant" woodworkers doing some of the work for you, making ordinary wood spectacular. This is another reason for thin-walled projects - easier to remove their remnants.

There are some magic potions to kill them before they do much harm. But a very effective remedy is to place the wood in a loose-fitting paper bag, or bags stapled together, and attach the bag to a vehicle exhaust pipe. Run the engine for about an hour; I'd read that termites can hold their breath for about 15 minutes. A lawn mower provides almost as much carbon monoxide and has lower fuel consumption. If the wood is placed in a tent, a hose can be run from the lawn mower to the tent. The magic potions could discolor the wood.

I beg to differ, ever so slightly, with the Mouse. I have some Camphor, essentially the basis of moth balls, with dust from powder-post beetles (or so I was informed by a local good ol' boy) surrounding them on the floor. I moved them to a separate area outdoors, and stripped the bark. Damage wasn't very deep.

Joe

 

[MichaelMouse]

Y'think? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mothball

Try the mothballs.

 

[S. Clark]

A couple years ago I got a load of Silver Maple from a homeowner that had the tree cut down due to concern that it would fall on the house. It looked like a beautiful tree but when they cut it down it became very clear why it was necessary to remove it; a major infestation of grubs. I don’t know what kind they were, big, fat, creamy white, and some more than an inch long. In any case, the only solution I had was to rough turn it all right away. It was a messy job! Bug juice all over the face shield and the overhead garage door, and dizzy grubs flinging out into the driveway. I roughed the wood down to about an inch thick and used an awl to probe the remaining holes and dig out any hidden creatures. The smaller forms I microwaved to kill the critters; this works pretty well. It took a bit of extra work but the wood was beautiful and worth it. I kept an eye on the rough forms for several days and had to do a little additional probing when I saw evidence of the bugs still at work.

Powder post beetles are the main problem I encounter. They go after my dry wood and roughed forms. They seem to prefer sapwood but attack heart material if that is all that’s available. They seem to have preferential tastes for certain species but that isn’t a scientific evaluation. I’ve tried storing wood in a sealed closet with a concrete floor and they still find it in there somehow. I’m confident that the wood I’ve done this with is clean before stashing it, so I’m at a loss to know how they show up.

- Scott

 

[MichaelMouse]

Powder Post and some other pests depicted. Click and follow to the bulletins for other information. http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/insectid/wood-attk.php

Good pictures of the critters here. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/IN/IN03500.pdf

 

[Joe Greiner]

The wikipedia article includes the phrase "This article needs additional citations for verification."

And Google [mothballs "camphor tree"] seems to confirm at least one source of the resin.

Wikipedia is more of a free-for-all than peer-reviewed journals, but even they can go awry. The internet is a wonderful source of mis-information. BS uber alles.

I say, "Gas 'em with combustion exhaust." But thanks for the more authoritative link, MM.

Joe

 

[Steve Worcester]

Down here in Texas, we get the borers as big as your thumb. Very common in Mesquite. I know guys that fumigate and others that submerge in mineral spirits.

But different borers are found in all types of wood. Had one in some Gabon Ebony once. Gotta respect a critter that eats wood that hard.

 

[MichaelMouse]

I say, "Gas 'em with combustion exhaust." But thanks for the more authoritative link, MM.

Remember the old potato in the tailpipe trick? Use your neighbor's car if you try the German approach.

How about a fire extinguisher and a bag? CO2'll do.

 

[Scott Regenbogen]

So if these are Powder post borer beetle beasts (or whatever you want to call the little buggers) and not termites, is there actually a danger to my wood stash as immenent as if they were termites? I think the CO2 approach sounds reasonable but is it cool to just attack them as they present themselves, or should a pre-emptive strike be called in? I do know that there are many of the "scurrying beetle" guys around.

 

[turner23]

yeah to larvae!

I turned a piece of elm with larvae inside their little tunnels, didn't realize it until I started being assaulted by little cross-sections of the guys. Pretty Sick!

 

[Steve Worcester]

So if these are Powder post borer beetle beasts (or whatever you want to call the little buggers) and not termites, is there actually a danger to my wood stash as immenent as if they were termites? I think the CO2 approach sounds reasonable but is it cool to just attack them as they present themselves, or should a pre-emptive strike be called in? I do know that there are many of the "scurrying beetle" guys around.

Regardless of what they are, they will travel to whatever wood is in contact with the infested wood. If it is all stacked together, yes, preemptive would be prudent.

If they are termites, you will see (usually) flying adults or at least winged members around it. Keep it off the ground and no more will join.

 

[MichaelMouse]

So if these are Powder post borer beetle beasts (or whatever you want to call the little buggers) and not termites, is there actually a danger to my wood stash as immenent as if they were termites? I think the CO2 approach sounds reasonable but is it cool to just attack them as they present themselves, or should a pre-emptive strike be called in? I do know that there are many of the "scurrying beetle" guys around.

Nope, and if you follow the URLs above, you'll find that borax is a good thing for the scurrying phase.

 

[Scott Regenbogen]

Thanks for the advice and information. It does seem that these are the powder post pests and so i will engage them appropriately. I really do appreciate the shared wisdom - and altough the little freaks sabotaged my "bark-on-natural-edge" dogwood piece that i have on the late right now, they actually added an interesting patter to the rim, so i guess it turned out ok. HA - everything that involves turning is OK in my book. Ok i guess you can tell I need coffee. Thanks everyone!