Did you find what you think is log rot or insect signs? You are not sure but you are willing to find out. Most potential customers are calling us for a restoration estimate. They have noticed some areas of concern. Perhaps you see log rot or insect signs. In this article, we will lightly go
Ever noticed tiny, round holes in your wood, about 3/32 to 9/32 inches in diameter? These aren’t secret fairy doorways—they’re exit holes left behind by wood-boring beetles making their grand escape. Think of them as the ‘punchlines’ to the beetles’ act of munching through your logs—funny only until you realize the damage they’ve done!
Wood damage caused by carpenter ants and log rot: A close-up view of a timber piece showing extensive tunneling and ant activity, highlighting the destructive power of these tiny intruders.
How to Use A Steak Skewer to Check for Log Rot
Measuring log rot depth: A steak skewer probes the wood until it reaches solid material; using a sharpie, mark the skewer indicating the depth for accurate assessment.
A steak skewer or paint roller is a good way to measure the degree of log rot and how far into the log it penetrates. Almost everyone has one at home; if you do not, you know where to get it. To further familiarize yourself with the types of log rot, visit our article “Types of Log Rot“.
Easiest Way
Detecting log rot: Use a skewer to test log depth by poking and measuring how far it sinks. For high spots, a paint roller frame or stick on a pole can help identify soft areas. Logs should bounce the stick back, not sink in.
The easiest way to check for log rot is to take the skewer and poke the logs. I’ve also heard of people using a paint roller frame on a pole to reach high spots. If the skewer sinks in, you can measure how far it sinks in. Hopefully, the skewer does not sink in anywhere. The best-case scenario is that it only sinks in less than a centimeter or quarter of an inch beyond the point. However, if it sinks in further than that, it is worth noting to get an accurate estimate.
Mark and Measure
If you discover log rot, we recommend using blue masking tape. Write down the depth it sunk in, stick it on the log, and continue checking the log until you consistently hit solid wood. From there, you can measure how many feet of log rot you might have. Knowing how many feet of log rot you have can help you and us determine how many feet of logs will need replacing.
What are the Signs of Insect Infestation?
Insect signs are generally visible and can be identified through a Google search for insect signs. Termites and carpenter ants are the top predators of logs. Damage from them can be costly but not impossible, and it doesn’t always mean your house is beyond repair. Like cancer, early detection is important to keep it from spreading throughout the home. Looking for the “frass” is the easiest way to identify insect infestation.
Picture taken from the City Pests on 5/15/2021 from website https://citypests.com/termite-droppings-frass-or-dust/ credited to University of Nebraska Department of Entomology at https://entomology.unl.edu/images/carpants
You can also look for frass by finding their garbage dump or exit holes. Once you discover the dump, you can determine who your unwelcome guests are. Tiny insect heads and wings and sawdust or wood shavings in the frass are often signs of carpenter ants. Carpenter ants are the common complaint we hear about from log homeowners. We do listen to concerns about termites as well. Usually, people go years without realizing they are living with termites because they don’t know how to look for grains of wood similar to pepper or sawdust frass. Below is a picture of the two most common log home invaders.
Log Loving Insects
Spot the difference: Carpenter ants and termites are common pests for log homes. Carpenter ants have bent antennae, while termites have straight ones. Both can cause significant damage if left unchecked. Proper identification and borate treatments like Perma-Chink’s Armor-Guard can help prevent future infestations. Visit the Farmi Homie website; the above picture was taken on 5/15/2021 from https://farmihomie.com/carpenter-ant-frass-vs-termite-frass/
For an in-depth article about “Carpenter Ant Frass vs Termite Frass: What Difference and How to Get Rid of them“, visit the Farmi Homie website at the https://farmihomie.com/carpenter-ant-frass-vs-termite-frass/
Another way to tell them apart is by their antennae. The carpenter ants’ antennae are bent, while the termites’ are straight. Of course, these are not the exclusive log home pests.
Other Insect Pests Include:
- Carpenter Bees
- Powder Post Beetles
- Cluster Flies are not to be confused with other flies
- Long-horned Beetles
- Non-re-infesting wood Boring Beetles–often laying larvae in the tree the log came from emerging later. They include:
If you suspect you have an infestation, contact your local pest control to determine the amount of damage, as they are the experts in this field. During the restoration process, it will be important to add a borate treatment like Perma-Chinks Amour-Guard and Shell-Guard to avoid future infestations and decay. After restoration, you can use Log Wash as a maintenance cleaner to help in the prevention process.
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact us by phone or text at 844-567-2329 or by email at [email protected].
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