Solutions to your Insect Infestation
Spring has arrived and we are finally beginning to experience warmer weather. But warmer weather also means more pests, insects and rodents. Your log home is a jackpot for some of these wood-boring pests - like ants, bees, beetles, termites and wasps - and they can be quite persistent.
There is no need to worry because we have outstanding log home supplies to keep the pests from boring into your log home. We also have provided you with multiple do-it-yourself home care solutions for a little added protection. It’s important to address these pest problems early before structural damage becomes too intense and out of control. Thankfully, the log home products and DIY projects listed below are cost-effective and are beneficial when it comes to various bees, termites, and wasps trying to make your home, their home.
3 of the Best Products to Protect your Log Home from Insects
Armor Guard
Armor Guard is a preventative care product and should be used on wood that has yet to be destroyed by insects. Simply dissolve the powder in water and stir until the mixture is clear and the powder is no longer visible. Apply the solution with a low-pressure sprayer to clean dry bare wood.
Cobra Rods
Cobra Rods should be used after the wood is finished. These rods are used as a spot treatment to eliminate decay and fungi. Once rods are inserted into the wood, the chemical complex will begin to work its magic. When the rod is exposed to the moisture in the wood, it will continue working to eliminate decay and fungi and help prevent it for the next 8-10 years.
Shell Guard
Shell guard impregnates bare wood fibers with its active borate solution and will eliminate and protect against any existing wood-destroying insects or dry rot fungi. You can purchase it in a concentrate or ready-to-use formula. It is your choice if you wish apply it with a brush, a low-pressure sprayer, or to drill a hole in the affected area and inject the solution. You can easily plug the hole and make it blend with the surface using Energy Seal or a comparable product.
DIY Insect Traps
Carpenter Bee Traps
Wooden box with jar
You are able to design this certain bee trap exactly how you want pertaining to size and placement. First there are some basic structural needs that you may want to follow. You want to make a wooden box (similar to a birdhouse structure). In order to draw the bees to the wood, you will need to drill ⅜” and ½” holes into the sides of the wooden box on a diagonal up for a more appealing feature for the bees. These are attractive to carpenter bees because they like when they can utilize an already existing hole. Next, you will want to screw a jar (lid of the jar) on the bottom of the wooden box. A hole will be drilled connecting the diagonal hole in the side of the wooden box and the bottom of the box to the jar. The bees will be drawn by the wood, fall through the box into the jar and not know how to get back out because there will be nothing to grip onto the sides of the slippery glass jar. They will become stuck in the jar with no way out.
Materials:
- Treated wood (size of your choice)
- Pickle jar with lid (wash out pickle juice remnants)
- Screws
- Drill
- Caulk
Wasp/Hornet Traps
2 liter plastic bottle
This is one of the most common tactics to use on overwhelming amounts of wasps and hornets. Take a 2 liter bottle, cut the top of the bottle off (⅓ of the way down), and insert the neck of the bottle face down into the remaining portion of the bottle. You will then duct tape these two pieces together at the top so the mouth of the bottle will not fall out of the larger portion of the bottle. Next, pour a solution of water and sugar (equal amounts) into the bottle. This is a sweet and sour formula that wasps/hornets are attracted to, especially at the end of the summer/early fall. The bees will try to get to the sweet taste/smell of the solution and fall into the inside of the bottle, not knowing how to escape up through the mouth of the bottle, and drown in the water solution.
Materials:
- 2 liter plastic bottle
- Solution (water & sugar)
- Duct Tape
- String or screw to hang trap
Peppermint solution
Another treatment that takes care of wasps and hornets is a peppermint based solution. Wasps and hornets hate the aroma of peppermint oil and it can actually kill larvae, eggs and adult wasps/hornets. Create a solution of 1 tablespoon peppermint oil and 4 cups of water and spray it on the wasp/hornet nests when they are sleeping at night. The solution will kill off the larvae, eggs, and adults and also make other wasps/hornets not want to return back to the nest because they hate the aroma so much.
Materials:
- Spray bottle
- 1 tablespoon of peppermint oil
- 4 cups of water
Jam Bottle
Another way to create a wasp/hornet trap is to take a plastic bottle with a raised bottom (think Gatorade bottle) and cut a hole in the raised portion of bottom of the bottle. You are going to make a trough in the bottom of the bottle around the raised portion. You will then make a solution of water and jam to put into the trough in the bottom of the bottle. Wasps/hornets will be attracted to the sweet scent/taste and enter the bottom of the bottle, having nowhere to grip on the slippery plastic bottle. The wasps/hornets will then drown in the trough area with the water and jam. Yarn or string can be fastened around the neck of the bottle and tied to a post or tree.
Materials:
- Plastic bottle with raised bottom (Gatorade bottle)
- Yarn
- Jam
- Water
- Box cutter or drill
Termite Traps
Salt Solution
A salt-based solution or rock salt can be utilized to prevent infestations of termites in your home. Pour the solution or rock salt along the outside of your home’s foundation. For better results, dig a groove around the outside of your foundation and fill the groove with rock salt. After the rock salt is poured, water the area. Salt dehydrates pests, especially termites, and makes them swell up and die off.
Cardboard trap
Termites are attracted to moisture and water. Termites eat cellulose, which can be found in cardboard. Grab three pieces of cardboard and stack them on top of each other, placing them where termites are prevalent. Wet the cardboard pieces by spraying them with water. Termites will migrate to the cardboard. After two to three days, take the cardboard pieces outside and burn them, also burning off all of the termites that were inside of the cardboard. This will rid many of the termites in your home, but maybe not all.
Lavender Oil
Another remedy that will rid termites is lavender oil. It is an essential oil that termites can not stand up against. By spraying this solution onto the infected areas in your log home the termites will die instantly. Lavender oil is appealing to people because it is natural, leaves a great scent behind, and it is safe for animals and children.
Having trouble with pests in your log home? Timeless Wood Care has all of the maintenance products for your insect needs, just give us a call at 231-798-8580 or
visit our website to take a look at some of our items.
