| One of the first questions people ask about | | | | insecticide is designed to soak into the logs |
| log homes is How Much Termite Damage Do They | | | | and protect them against insects and wood |
| Get? Well, rest assured: log homes are no | | | | rot. After the borate treatment has dried |
| more susceptible to termites than a | | | | (and before the rain washes it off), apply |
| traditional framed house. In some ways, it | | | | your stain which is toxic and will also |
| would be easier to spot possible infestation: | | | | protect your logs from insects. To be extra |
| in a stick-framed house, you could have an | | | | sure, there are additives you can add to the |
| problem for years without even knowing it. | | | | stain that contain insecticides.Carpenter |
| The termites would be hidden behind your | | | | bees do not like to chew through treated, |
| sheetrock, happily gnawing away at structural | | | | painted, or stained wood and will probably |
| members, and would attack your walls from the | | | | find more tasty surfaces to attack. Keep an |
| inside-out. With a log, they would most | | | | eye on your porches and fascia boards; after |
| likely start on the outside and work their | | | | a few years, when the stain no longer looks |
| way in, leaving an obvious trail of sawdust | | | | fresh, the bees may revisit your house and |
| or mud foraging tubes.Termites thrive in a | | | | start making those perfectly round 1/2" |
| damp environment; they dehydrate when exposed | | | | holes. Luckily, they are easy to treat and |
| to the air for too long. If your logs are | | | | once you spray and plug those holes, that |
| kept dry, they won't be a tempting target for | | | | particular bee should be taken care |
| wood-boring insects. On the other hand, if | | | | of.Caulking between the log courses is |
| you have a spot where a gutter is leaking | | | | another good way to seal out the insects. |
| onto the logs, or your door frame leaks, | | | | I've actually watched a fly drag a tiny leaf |
| watch out! That damp spot is the point of | | | | into a small split in our log ends. You just |
| entry for insects and wood rot. Also, keep | | | | don't know what critter wants to live in your |
| your air conditioner from dripping near the | | | | logs. Also, do not stack firewood against |
| foundation; this is another potential trouble | | | | your house. Chances are very good the cured |
| source.In new construction, there are some | | | | wood already has insects in it, and you don't |
| measures you can take to reduce the risk of | | | | want to transfer them to your pristine |
| termite damage. First of all, make sure your | | | | logs.The most important thing to do is make |
| contractor does not bury any wooden | | | | an occasional investigation of your corners, |
| construction debris under the topsoil. This | | | | eaves, window frames, foundation. Many |
| is very common on job sites, and the | | | | infestations are easily dealt with if caught |
| decomposing wood creates a great environment | | | | early enough. Don't assume your house will |
| for new termite colonies. Secondly, make | | | | take care of itself; you, the owner, will be |
| sure they install a termite shield below the | | | | the first line of defense.Mercedes Hayes is a |
| sill plate; this is a bent piece of metal | | | | Hiawatha Log Home dealer and also a Realtor |
| that creates a barrier between the foundation | | | | in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She designed |
| and the wooden sill. Many townships require | | | | her own log home which was featured in the |
| this by code.Before you apply the stain, it | | | | 2004 Floor Plan Guide of Log Home Living |
| would be wise to spray the logs with a borate | | | | magazine. |
| treatment; when added to water, this powdered | | | | |