Bug Proofing New Wood Shed

[Chasbec]

I just took delivery of a new wood shed. The understructure is all pressure treated but everything above the sill is basic pine. Before I start loading it with (dirty, nasty, buggy) firewood, does anyone have any ideas for a good way to prevent termites, carpenter ants, etc.?

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Thanks,
Chuck

 

[rlitman]

You could treat it with a boric acid based chemical (like Timbor). Something that repels termites (and is slightly fire retardant too).
You can make your own using boric acid and propylene glycol (RV antifreeze), and apply with a pump sprayer.

Or you could paint it, though it looks GREAT as-is, and I think paint would detract some.

The biggest thing would be to keep the firewood out of direct contact with the structure. Lay something on the floor that is bug proof (I use scraps of plastic decking, or scrap aluminum ladders), that allows for airflow around the firewood (keep the surface dry).

 

[soapii]

You can make your own using boric acid and propylene glycol (RV antifreeze), and apply with a pump sprayer.

Not a good idea if you have pets.

--Joe

 

[rlitman]

Not a good idea if you have pets.

Why not?

 

[nadogail]

Where I live, there are only two kinds of houses.

Those who have termites, and

Those who are going to get them.

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 to treat the floor and walls right around where you plan on storing firewood in that new shed (termite treatment). Also would be a good idea to put down thick mil plastic on floor (along with spacer slats) to keep all the junk off your new shed floor.

You WILL be concentrating all kinds of bugs/critters/potential termites with the wood pile stored "indoors" under the shed roof. Might be good idea to have all the supplies/sprayer with Sevin bug spray so at least spiders, etc won't be making your indoor wood pile their new home (ie spray each new batch of wood that goes into shed) !!

BTW . . . that is great looking shed !!

 

[theoldwizard1]

The biggest thing would be to keep the firewood out of direct contact with the structure. Lay something on the floor that is bug proof (I use scraps of plastic decking, or scrap aluminum ladders), that allows for airflow around the firewood (keep the surface dry).

Keeping it up off the concrete floor is a very good idea. Even just laying down some PT 2x4s would be good. It will prevent rot which attracts bugs.

Don't put any permanent covering on the walls so that you can do an annual inspection.

 

[matt_i]

Air circulation, which assists in drying the wood also. What I've found is the crawly bugs don't like to travel a long way from the ground out in the relative open to get to fire wood.

Could be steel, concrete blocks, or treated wood, but the more height and spacing from the walls you can get, the better this will turn out. Obviously sweeping, blowing out with compressed air, etc, will assist in keeping the floor clean. I would also try for some heavy plastic, like 10 mil or even a thicker epdm pond liner (see also, amazon) to make it even tougher for bugs to get to the fire wood. The downside is this could contribute to rot of the shed's wooden floor if it were to ever wick water from the ground, as it will block air drying of the wooden floor.....

I might even be so mad as to run a cheapo big box ceiling fan on an exterior/Christmas light extension cord during the summer to promote drying if within reasonable distance of a power source. Those things are stiffer than a snake in January but have pretty good UV blockers built into the jacket of the cord.

 

[redmondjp]

You could treat it with a boric acid based chemical (like Timbor). Something that repels termites (and is slightly fire retardant too).
You can make your own using boric acid and propylene glycol (RV antifreeze), and apply with a pump sprayer.

Or you could paint it, though it looks GREAT as-is, and I think paint would detract some.

The biggest thing would be to keep the firewood out of direct contact with the structure. Lay something on the floor that is bug proof (I use scraps of plastic decking, or scrap aluminum ladders), that allows for airflow around the firewood (keep the surface dry).

Boric acid for sure. Look it up - it will penetrate several inches into the wood. It makes it taste bad to wood-eating insects. And there is no way that this will harm your pets.

 

[slip knot]

I'll second the Timbor recomendation. I use it anytime I've got a wall opened in a renovation.

I dont get the pet issue. borax is pretty benign. Washing powder mostly.

 

[Justanoldguy]

Where I live, there are only two kinds of houses.

Those who have termites, and

Those who are going to get them.

Lucky you guys.
We don't have termites in New Zealand.

 

[Justanoldguy]

Keeping it up off the concrete floor .

Damn bad eyesight here.
I never saw a concrete floor.

 

[Chasbec]

I do have dogs and know that dogs and anti-freeze are a lethal combination. I've looked it up on line and think I'm going to go with Timbor. It's not available in NY (Nanny-State) so I'll have to get it shipped to a friend in NJ. Thanks for the advice guys!

 

[rlitman]

ETHYLENE glycol based antifreeze is both highly toxic, and tastes very good to animals.
PROPYLENE glycol is not that toxic, and does not have a good taste to animals. PROPYLENE glycol is what is found in RV many antifreeze formulations (but not all, so you must read the label). It is important to look for a non-toxic RV antifreeze.

Propylene glycol by itself is also a fungicide (it kills the fungi that cause wood to rot, though is not great at killing mold), and aids the transport of the borate into the wood (better than using water alone as the wetting agent). Mixed with water alone, Timbor is supposed to penetrate around 1/4". Boracare is the same chemical, pre-mixed with propylene glycol. They say you can use it straight on thin wood, or dilute up to 1:5 with water for thicker timbers.

 

[Doc]

Termidor SC. Has a 10 year treatment against termites for homes. I just bought a bottle off ebay. Lots of places on Amazon that sells as well..

 

[pcmeiners]

Second Termidor, 22 oz will do an entire house, then some, great stuff, termites bring back to nest, kills the entire colony.

 

[Chasbec]

Since this is a new shed, I need to prevent infestation and rot - not fight an existing problem. From what I've seen here and elsewhere online, Timbor looks like the best product for this. And since the wood will all be exposed every spring after the firewood is gone, I will be able to treat it every year.

Good to know the difference between ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. I've never liked to have any of it around because of the pet issues and my two old labs who eat anything.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I have chainlink fence as an interior wall surface in my wood shed to let it breathe and keep the firewood from laying on the framing and encouraging rot and whatnot.

 

[BASFStewardship]

As the manufacturer of Termidor® products, we have committed to the EPA to carefully monitor, and instruct upon, the correct use of our products. As part of our commitment to EPA, we have monitored this site.
Your recent participation in a conversation around the BASF product Termidor® termiticide/insecticide gave us concern about your possible use of the product. While we do not have all the facts surrounding your use, it is important that you understand the following:

• Non-labeled use of federally registered pesticides is a violation of federal and state law.

• Uses not included on the Label have not been evaluated for human and environmental safety and can result in human and environmental hazard.

Please carefully review the label to confirm the legal permitted uses of Termidor. You may also visit our website, pestcontrol.basf.us/properuse, which also contains information on the proper use of Termidor. For any questions you may have, you may call us at 800-777-8570, or email questions to [email protected] . We also encourage you to share these resources with anyone you suspect may be involved in the non-labeled use of Termidor®.

Thank You

The BASF Product Stewardship Team

 

[maxpower_hd]

ETHYLENE glycol based antifreeze is both highly toxic, and tastes very good to animals.
PROPYLENE glycol is not that toxic, and does not have a good taste to animals. PROPYLENE glycol is what is found in RV many antifreeze formulations (but not all, so you must read the label). It is important to look for a non-toxic RV antifreeze.

Propylene glycol by itself is also a fungicide (it kills the fungi that cause wood to rot, though is not great at killing mold), and aids the transport of the borate into the wood (better than using water alone as the wetting agent). Mixed with water alone, Timbor is supposed to penetrate around 1/4". Boracare is the same chemical, pre-mixed with propylene glycol. They say you can use it straight on thin wood, or dilute up to 1:5 with water for thicker timbers.

I can confirm this. ETHYLENE Glycol is the type of anti-freeze found in automobiles (usually). PROPYLENE Glycol is the type that is used in campers, RVS, camps, boilers, etc. to keep water pipes from freezing, including drinking water. This type is non-toxic unless ingested in large quantities. It is even used in food as a preservative in small quantities. The reason most cars use ethylene as opposed to propylene is due to its heat transfer properties and longevity in a hot engine.

Residual Propylene Glycol will not harm pets. Just don't leave a whole bucket out for them to drink. Ethylene on the other hand doesn't take much at all to make a pet very sick.

 

[CNGsaves]

Maybe the OP can spray mix of Propylene Glycol he concocts . . . .
. . . . AND . . . .
. . . . . . . . . the termites will . . . TrembleAtTheDoor . . .and not enter !!

 

[Chasbec]

As the manufacturer of Termidor® products, we have committed to the EPA to carefully monitor, and instruct upon, the correct use of our products. As part of our commitment to EPA, we have monitored this site.
Your recent participation in a conversation around the BASF product Termidor® termiticide/insecticide gave us concern about your possible use of the product. While we do not have all the facts surrounding your use, it is important that you understand the following:

• Non-labeled use of federally registered pesticides is a violation of federal and state law.

• Uses not included on the Label have not been evaluated for human and environmental safety and can result in human and environmental hazard.

Please carefully review the label to confirm the legal permitted uses of Termidor. You may also visit our website, pestcontrol.basf.us/properuse, which also contains information on the proper use of Termidor. For any questions you may have, you may call us at 800-777-8570, or email questions to [email protected] . We also encourage you to share these resources with anyone you suspect may be involved in the non-labeled use of Termidor®.

Thank You

The BASF Product Stewardship Team

Thanks for that feedback. I ended up using Tim-Bor so - no problem. I have to say though, that it seems to me that the EPA, with ALL of its incessant requirements and bureaucratic regulations have made the labeling for consumer products completely USER UNFRIENDLY. When I buy fertilizer or ant traps I AM NOT going to read through 10 pages of technical ****, in 6 pt font, drafted by chemist/lawyers and completely unreadable for the average home user. If they would just outline do's and dont's and provide simple mixing instructions, people might actually read the labels instead of giving up in utter exasperation and just winging it. The fact that they force you to post here is another example of bureaucracy run amuck. Just my 2¢...

 

[brianh]

We heat with wood, our outside lean to shed I built at least 15 years ago never had an issue with termites or carpenter ants in the structure. Best method for getting rid of carpenter ants which our wood house sometimes gets is a heaping teaspoon of boric acid and a cup of sugar I put it around in jar caps usually wipes them out within two weeks.

 

[Chevy-SS]

Since this is a new shed, I need to prevent infestation and rot - .......

I built a new shed last year. Carpenter ants moved in shortly thereafter. A couple of spray bombs wiped them right out.

I'm not worried at all about bugs in my shed, as there are no interior walls, and if any bugs are present, it's easy to see them, and then bomb 'em out. I'd rather do it this way, versus keeping the place constantly treated with something.

But......... to each his own. Good luck with your shed!

-

 

[rlitman]

As the manufacturer of Termidor... As part of our commitment to EPA... it is important that you understand the following:

• Non-labeled use of federally registered pesticides is a violation of federal and state law.

• Uses not included on the Label have not been evaluated for human and environmental safety and can result in human and environmental hazard.

Please carefully review the label to confirm the legal permitted uses of Termidor...

While this is a completely correct response, and the product label IS LITERALLY THE LAW, your response is also pretty much useless.
Your product label here:
http://www.cdms.net/ldat/ld3DR008.pdf

Shows that Termidor SC is labelled specifically for "Prevention and/or control of wood-infesting pests" (through 9/24/2017), and spells out an application that pretty much mirrors the advice given above.

I will stick however with the boric acid advice. I believe it has a longer half-life in wood, so it would not need reapplication for many years.

 

[Chasbec]

We heat with wood, our outside lean to shed I built at least 15 years ago never had an issue with termites or carpenter ants in the structure. Best method for getting rid of carpenter ants which our wood house sometimes gets is a heaping teaspoon of boric acid and a cup of sugar I put it around in jar caps usually wipes them out within two weeks.

Good to know Brian. BTW - The guys that built my shed are from your town.

 

[tac]

I do have dogs and know that dogs and anti-freeze are a lethal combination. I've looked it up on line and think I'm going to go with Timbor. It's not available in NY (Nanny-State) so I'll have to get it shipped to a friend in NJ. Thanks for the advice guys!

I've always hear this about antifreeze and I've owned several dogs and cats. Maybe I've been lucky and had smart animals, but I've never seen them drink it. They will walk up to it, sniff it and walk away.

 

[redmondjp]

I've always hear this about antifreeze and I've owned several dogs and cats. Maybe I've been lucky and had smart animals, but I've never seen them drink it. They will walk up to it, sniff it and walk away.

Yes, this whole thing about worrying about animals getting harmed by this is far overblown - I mean, what are you going to do, mix this stuff up and set it out in a bowl for them to drink??? No - you mix it in your pump sprayer, spray a light coat onto the wood where it soaks in and also evaporates, and finally pour any leftover liquid into a suitable container for later use.

How in the world is that going to cause harm to your animals? Even if they chew on the wood afterwards (and they won't because the boric acid makes it taste bitter) it's not going to be an issue.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Sounds like you already got it done but I would have sprinkled Sevin dust around the edges of the walls/floor. Then I'd stack my fire wood on some PT lanscape timbers, slightly taller than 2x4 laying flat and you can usually buy them cheap. Look for the ones that are warped and inquire about buying them at a discounted price.

 

[920kip]

Sounds like you already got it done but I would have sprinkled Sevin dust around the edges of the walls/floor. Then I'd stack my fire wood on some PT lanscape timbers, slightly taller than 2x4 laying flat and you can usually buy them cheap. Look for the ones that are warped and inquire about buying them at a discounted price.

Nutt hit it on the head. But OP did good too.

 

[Alan Douglas]

Ingestion of 5 to 20 grams of boric acid has killed adults. A teaspoon is 5 grams. Pets weigh much less than people. From Hazardous Chemicals Desk Reference, 3d ed, 1993.

 

[soj]

Sounds like you already got it done but I would have sprinkled Sevin dust around the edges of the walls/floor. Then I'd stack my fire wood on some PT lanscape timbers, slightly taller than 2x4 laying flat and you can usually buy them cheap. Look for the ones that are warped and inquire about buying them at a discounted price.

You can always count on NUTT for a money saving idea!

 

[Chasbec]

Sprayed with Tim-Bor (twice), Packed out, ready for winter!

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