Oak Wood ants and bugs

Mo Smoke · Post by **Mo Smoke** » May 28th, 2017, 6:52 pm

Got a huge stack of wood for cheap from a guy who cut down a tree a year ago. He stacked it up in 1-2 foot long logs ranging from 3 inches to 10 inch in diameter. The only cover it had Was the overhang of his house and it was sitting on rocks. Florida heat has dried it good. I'm pulling bark off easily and finding some ants.. and some pieces have a few bugs on them. Saw some tiny Black wormlike ones and some little white ones (termite family? Not sure.. a few pieces look like they may have been hit by a termite type bug but not severely. Can I still use the wood with the bugs on it? I'm planning to throw it away but thought I should ask first. What's gonna happen when the fire hits that wood.. ain't nothin surviving that is it?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Post by **Big T** » May 28th, 2017, 8:46 pm

I'm not sure what others do but I just tossed some pecan that was just as you described. To answer your question, I don't think any bugs can survive a good fire.

Post by **Rodcrafter** » May 28th, 2017, 11:25 pm

I would probably use it for campfire or fire ring. I would even use it to cook with if I could preheat the wood hot enough inside the FB. But if the wood has that white look to it I would pass on cooking with it. But if you are in a pinch it will burn

Making memories!

Mo Smoke · Post by **Mo Smoke** » May 28th, 2017, 11:31 pm

It doesn't look white at all. Got a few pieces with some algae looking green, but I think that's from moisture under the bark. The bark is easily separating too. Even after it got rained on the other day, 1 day of sunshine and the bark on the ground is cracking like dry bones.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Post by **Pete Mazz** » May 29th, 2017, 5:36 am

If the bugs are just on the surface and not tunneled throughout the wood you should be fine.

Post by **Rodcrafter** » May 29th, 2017, 10:35 am

Mo Smoke · Post by **Mo Smoke** » May 30th, 2017, 12:18 pm

Yeah mostly surface bugs... got a few logs that look like they have been hit with a few tunnels but nothing major. I'm just being extra careful since I'm cooking with it and because I don't want bug infested wood around my house.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mo Smoke · Post by **Mo Smoke** » June 3rd, 2017, 7:16 am

I ended up keeping most of the wood. I sprayed the pieces that had lots of little white bugs/ants and then got rid of those pieces. All in all it worked out good.. it's a lot of wood at least it felt like a lot when I was stacking it all. Most of them are big logs. Once split it will be even more...and for only $30... $45 if you count the gas I put in my neighbors truck to go get it...Chipped off the bark and used it for mulch on the side of the house and stacked up the wood. It's nice and dry, burns good. Thinking about building an overhang to keep the rain off but not sure if I really need it.

Post by **Big T** » June 3rd, 2017, 3:54 pm

I would try to keep it as dry as possible even if it's just a tarp thrown over it.

Post by **Rodcrafter** » June 3rd, 2017, 3:59 pm

Yeah that.

Making memories!

Mo Smoke · Post by **Mo Smoke** » June 4th, 2017, 9:50 am

I'll do that.. now I'm on to chopping em down to splits. Got an axe, but after a few swings I realized I'm not Daniel Boone and this ain't Hollywood.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ajfoxy · Post by **ajfoxy** » June 4th, 2017, 3:54 pm

Next project... a log splitter

Post by **Big T** » June 4th, 2017, 6:24 pm

Mo Smoke · Post by **Mo Smoke** » June 4th, 2017, 7:53 pm

Might have to rent one of those babies.. don't have money or room around the house for one. Plus I need the exercise

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Post by **Rodcrafter** » June 5th, 2017, 2:22 pm

I bet you will be getting one somehow these stick burners can eat.

SmokerBuilder.com