It's that time of year! Time to clean the woodshed and prepare it for next year's winter. But what about the bugs? The Firewood Company investigates how to prevent your woodshed from being the bug and pest zone.
Bugs and rodents! Not a very pleasant topic, but one many homeowners can note regarding their woodsheds. So, what can you do about the invasion of these little critters, and when is the best time to tackle the issue?
Common Bugs in Woodsheds
The Cunning Cockroach - When it comes to woodsheds – the common cockroach adores setting up a home! During the winter, these creepy crawlies are transported into your home on your daily firewood mission. If you notice you have a cocki problem in your woodshed, springtime is the best time to get evicting in time for your next load of seasoned wood. Purchasing good quality cockroach baits or traps is highly recommended.
Use traps after treatment to ensure you have removed all the cockroaches from the area. It is also recommended you clean your woodshed and have it ready for your next load of wood. Keeping woodpiles neat and debris-free can help prevent bug and rodent problems.
The Hungry Harlequin – don't be fooled by this ladybird's pretty appearance. Once deemed a banned bug in New Zealand, they quickly became too profound to battle. Today these larger-than-life ladybugs are everywhere in NZ… particularly in our woodsheds. They love to hide during winter in concealed spaces – bark being one of their favourite spots. If you spot these little critters, get spraying. They tend to clump together during winter and are much easier to control during the cold snap. If the problem is larger than life – consider a bug bomb.
The Worrying Wasp – wasps can be a massive problem in many New Zealand woodsheds, with a string to match. It's not uncommon to hear wood collectors coming in with a fresh sting. Queens love to hibernate in warm, dry areas, so it's no wonder they love to take up home in our woodsheds. If you notice a wasp (particularly a queen) killing, it is paramount. You can simply squash or spray the wasp or nest. However, if you have a bigger problem and notice wasps becoming more prevalent around your home, it is highly recommended you call in the experts for a wasp spray to remove these stinging pests.
Rodents in Woodshed
Mice and even rats can also reside in your lovely warm, dry woodshed. For those who do not like the skitter scatter of tiny feet, it can send you screaming in panic after a good collection of wood. Worst still, you may even transport one into your home.
If you have a rodent problem in your woodshed, it's a good idea to lay some bait or traps. Always be careful with baits, particularly if you have animals and children. Rodent baits are the cause of many dogs and cat-related deaths. If you want to use bait, put it behind your wood stack and ensure you remove it (if there is any left) after the season. Keeping a few traps around and checking them daily is an excellent removal method.
In the spring, a good clean out of your woodshed is advised. Remove any nests and clean the area. If rodents are an ongoing problem, consider closing in your woodshed to deter them from taking up residence.
Once the woodshed is in order – and bug and rodent free- now is the perfect time to stock up for the next season! You know who to call!