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