LOG HOMES vs. INSECTS: What to look for

Article by: Mercedes Hayes

One of the first questions people ask about log homes , Introduction to bonsai tree growing: an overview is How Much Termite Damage Do They Get? Well, rest assured: log homes , Garden Furniture - A Touch of Exuberance to Your Landscape are no more susceptible to termites than a traditional framed house. , Emerald Green Arborvitae for Sellersville Pa. In some ways, it would be easier to spot possible infestation: in a stick-framed house, , Air Sanders: Forget electric, go air! you could have an problem for years without even knowing it. The termites would be hidden behind your sheetrock, happily gnawing away at structural members, and would attack your walls , Annuals or Perennials that's the question from the inside-out. With a log, they would most likely start on the outside , Types Of Lawn Mower Batteries and work their way in, leaving an obvious trail of sawdust or mud foraging tubes.

Termites thrive in a damp environment; they dehydrate when exposed to the air , Flower Meanings & History of Flowers for too long. If your logs are kept dry, they won't be a tempting target for wood-boring insects. On the other hand, if you have a spot where a gutter is leaking onto the logs, or your door , Wicker Out Furniture frame leaks, watch out! That damp spot is the point of entry for insects and wood , A list of power tools that women should have in their toolbox for general home repair and emergencie rot. Also, keep your air , Single pane glass rep in an aluminum frame,part 2 conditioner from dripping near the foundation; this is another potential trouble source.

In new construction, there are some measures you can take to reduce the risk of termite damage. First of all, make sure your contractor , That Summer Feeling Doesn’t Have to End does not bury any wooden , Emerald Green Arborvitae for Sellersville Pa. construction debris under the topsoil. This is very common on job sites, and the decomposing wood , Building Stairs creates a great environment , An Electric Fireplace…The hearth of the matter. for new termite colonies. Secondly, make sure they install a termite shield below the sill plate; this is a bent piece of metal , Care of Moth Orchids that creates a barrier between the foundation and the wooden , 10 Stunning Garden Decorations! sill. Many townships require this by code.

Before you apply the stain, it would be wise to spray the logs with a borate treatment; when added to water, , Care of Moth Orchids this powdered insecticide is designed to soak into the logs and protect them against insects and wood , Building Stairs rot. After the borate treatment has dried (and before the rain washes it off), apply your stain which is toxic and will also protect your logs from insects. To be extra sure, there are additives you can add to the stain that contain insecticides.

Carpenter bees do not like to chew through treated, painted, or stained wood , Building Stairs and will probably find more tasty surfaces to attack. Keep an eye on your porches , Enchanting the Tract Home for Sale Using Design Psychology and fascia boards; after a few years, when the stain no longer looks fresh, the bees may revisit your house , Hibiscus Plants and start making those perfectly round 1/2" holes. Luckily, they are easy to treat and once you spray and plug those holes, that particular bee should be taken care of.

Caulking between the log courses is another good way to seal out the insects. I've actually watched a fly drag a tiny leaf into a small split in our log ends. You just don't know what critter wants to live in your logs. Also, do not stack firewood against your house. , Hetz, Reingold, and Emerald Green Arborvitae Chances are very good the cured wood , Tips For Growing Acid Loving Plants in North East Pa. already has insects in it, and you don't want to transfer them to your pristine logs.

The most important thing to do is make an occasional investigation of your corners, eaves, window , Best Way To Clean Carpet? frames, foundation. Many infestations are easily dealt with if caught early enough. Don't assume your house , Introduction to bonsai tree growing: an overview will take care of itself; you, the owner, will be the first line of defense.

About the Author

Mercedes Hayes is a Hiawatha Log Home , Introduction to bonsai tree growing: an overview dealer and also a Realtor in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She designed her own log home , Enchanting the Tract for Sale Using Design Psychology which was featured in the 2004 Floor , How to plan and successfully grow your tulip garden. Plan Guide of Log Home , Garden Furniture - A Touch of Exuberance to Your Landscape Living magazine. You can learn more about log homes , Building Wood Stairs by visiting www.JerseyLogHomes.com.

What's Inside
The Cranberry Viburnum Will Thrive In Furlong Pa - American Cranberry Viburnums have been cultivated by man for thousands of years and this particular variety is my favorite for fast growing , Keeping The Weeds Out - A Must! and easy to cultivate plants. , Making Your Home Blossom is Easy If you have had trouble growing , 3 Steps to your own Plants from Seed other plants , Advice about the latest assistance witrel="nofollow" h reference to lightin in Furlong Pa., this is a plant , How to Prune Pear Trees t...
A Look at Duvet Cover Sets - It is usually a good idea to buy a duvet cover set rather than buying all of the different pieces separately. Duvet covers include the cover and two s...
Making Space In Your Home - Make Space Clear out excess furniture , Fresh Cut Flower Preservative Packets and accessories , EZ to Grow - The Eastern White Pine Tree from the interior , My Garden Soul-The Agonies of Our Delightful Addiction of your home , Decorating Color Schemes as much as possible. If a piece of furniture , July Garden Chores is too big f...
Description of a Hurricane Lamp! - What is a hurricane lamp? The dictionary of American Heritage says that a hurricane lamp is: "A lamp with a candle, oil wick, or electric , What Is An Outdoor Bonsai? bulb protec...
Bring The Smell Of Nature Into Your Home With These Fragrant Flowers - A lot of money is spent in this country to reproduce fragrances for perfumes and air , Some benefits of Berger lamps! fresheners. The majority of these manufactured fragrances have alcohol and other additives that can actually irritate the membranes in your nose. Nature , Planting Spruce Seedlings has done it...
Peace of Mind for Home Inspections - As sure as the spring , How To Create Your Own Humming Bird Nectar... flows at The Fountain of Youth, home , The Cranberry Viburnum Will Thrive In Furlong Pa inspecting provides a stream of knowledge to wash away the fears of home , Internet Marketing and Advertising for the Green Industry buyers...
Maximize your waterfall flow with the Master DW Waterfall pump - A common mistake that beginner water , Painting and Decorating Tile gardeners often make is that they fail to take the height and width of their waterfall , Gardening Without Pests into consideration, when they purchase a waterfall , Is Landscape Fabric Even Necessary In Landscaping? pump. Because of this, it is quite common for water , Lawn Mower Parts Review and How to Choose From Gas, Electric and Battery powered mowers gardeners to underest...
Palm Trees - Uses And Locations - Palm trees, , Security Cameras For Your Peace of Mind scientifically known as Arecaceae or Palmae, are tree , Plants For Establishing a Hedge in Quakertown Pa. s belonging to a family of monocot flowering plants. , Energy-Smart Tip: Recycle your fridge – and make money There are approximately 2,600 different species of palm trees, , The Lease And Purchase Option the majority of which are native to tropical , Practical Feng Shui - Debunking the myths and finding out what we can actually learn from the ancien or subtropical climate , Plant Floribunda Roses For All-Season Blooms s...
A Short primer on Hypertufa. - I think it is time to talk about hypertufa! You have probably seen those big planters and troughs in pictures of old English gardens. , Tips for Choosing a 'Safe' Paint Color for Your Walls They are most likely made of Tufa rock. You can learn all you need to know about this and get an interesting geolo...