Termites in lumber stored in garage?

Myself | Jan, 05, 2008 | drawsing

[Drawsing]

I would like to continue storing my scrap lumber in the garage, but my wife is worried about termites. I told her that as long as it is stored off of the ground and not touching the walls that it is safe from termites. I cannot find the definitive word on the internet on this subject. Can someone here help me out? Thank you.

[Drawsing]

I would like to continue storing my scrap lumber in the garage, but my wife is worried about termites. I told her that as long as it is stored off of the ground and not touching the walls that it is safe from termites. I cannot find the definitive word on the internet on this subject. Can someone here help me out? Thank you.

[digger48]

told her that as long as it is stored off of the ground and not touching the walls that it is safe from termites.

If there's termites in the wall, I wouldn't be worrying so much about the scrap wood.

[martin_fierro]

[tacticalogic]

If it’s a dirt floor, they can still get to it even if it’s blocked up off the ground. They’ll build little mud tunnels up the side of the blocking to get to it. Put a plastic sheet down first and you should be OK, IMHO.

[org.whodat]

Ever heard of that new thing they have come up with called insect spray.

[Allegra]

LOL!

That guy needs a LOT of socks.

[raybbr]

Get a cat!

[xlib]

It’s all about moisture content. Termites need MC above 19% to live. I would think that storing the wood above ground and away from moisture sources would be ok in your climate. I’d also use ricking between layers in the stack (small-dimension sticks at right angles to the lumber.) If the stack is up on blocks, you should be able to observe any tunnels formed by termites.

[Blue Highway]

funny stuff, thanks for the laugh.

[AlaskaErik]

Move to Alaska. No termites.

[Creationist]

Wood is food for termites.

The way it is stored is important for the reuse of the lumber later and keeping it bug free.

Raised off the concrete with concrete or metal stickers placed appropriately to avoid bowing of the lumber. wood stickers should be placed between lumber stack levels to help air circulation and keep the lumber moisture content low.

You see termites require an easy water source to live. Like you and I they want to turn on the facet when they are thirsty.
They will travel up to 30 or so feet to get water, they will dedicate worker to be bucket brigade,this would only be after a colony has been established and the water supply has moved. Keep the area outside you garage including your whole home free of wood piles or any vegetation withing 12" (My personal belief is 6') to help avoid having the little critters living outside of the home in close proximity.

You should have no problem with wood destroying organisms in your wood pile as long as you keep it clean and dry in the location.

Kilned dried lumber that is left over from a build project is what I am referring to as the kiln process kills the insects.
Lumber that has been left outside for over a year and is dirty or recycled from a building will have to be individually surveyed for any insect holes.

[Jo Nuvark]

I have stored our milled lumber in our dry,
warm garage for 25 years and have never even
seen a termite. We have termites outside and
under the ground, but they never attacked this
wood.

If you want insurance, sprinkle some Boric Acid
(it’s a powder) on the floor where you stack the
wood.

If you have a serious termite infestation, sprinkle
Boric Acid around the borders of your and up on
your attic beams.

[ErnBatavia]

That cartoon reminds me of a line (may have been Robin Williams) where a tired centipede gets home after work, and his wife leads him towards the recliner, telling him, “Sit down and put your feet up, put your feet up, put your feet up, put your feet up, put your feet up, put your feet up, put your feet up....

[Drawsing]

Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful replies.

[ken21]

the termites i see in socal have wings and fly.