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Thread: Log with beetle larvae

  1. #1
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    Log with beetle larvae

    I used my bandsaw to mill up some board out of a small log I had sitting on the rocks under my deck for about 2 years, hoping to get some small splated boards out of the it. The log is from the trunk of about a 20 year old maple tree that came down in a storm (pulled up from the root ball out of the ground).

    In the boards I found what looks like beetle larvae. The area that was really bad I cut out and tossed, such as the first picture.

    So is this just now firewood or is it even usable assuming I dry the heck out of it? i don't have access to a kiln and not sure it's worth making one for these few boards.


    20220424_152609.jpg 20220424_152014.jpg20220424_152010.jpg
    Distraction could lead to dismemberment!

  2. #2
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    If had those boards I wouldn’t mind digging out the larvae and throwing them up on the shed. I have two blue jays that live in my oak tree. Always ready for a treat.
    I have only scraps of wood right now so I’m a bit desperate. Not pallet wood desperate but close.
    Good Luck
    Aj

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Andrew Hughes View Post
    If had those boards I wouldn’t mind digging out the larvae and throwing them up on the shed. I have two blue jays that live in my oak tree. Always ready for a treat.
    I have only scraps of wood right now so I’m a bit desperate. Not pallet wood desperate but close.
    Good Luck
    It sounds like you need to get your hands on some wood. My guess is the cost of lumber is Southern CA is pretty high?
    Distraction could lead to dismemberment!

  4. #4
    It's not a bug, it's a feature.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Justin Rapp View Post
    It sounds like you need to get your hands on some wood. My guess is the cost of lumber is Southern CA is pretty high?
    Wood is here in California is very expensive. Last month we had a wind event that should have been a boon for me. But it wasn’t. Mostly pine and eucalyptus fell. Because I’m living or dying in the city most of the tree layed up against a house or in a street.
    I do have a backup plan wood carving.
    Aj

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Andrew Hughes View Post
    Wood is here in California is very expensive. Last month we had a wind event that should have been a boon for me. But it wasn’t. Mostly pine and eucalyptus fell. Because I’m living or dying in the city most of the tree layed up against a house or in a street.
    I do have a backup plan wood carving.
    I am guessing that the cost to ship hardwood into an area that doesn't have a large hardwood industry could be pretty costly, driving up the price at retailers. Depending on the quantity of wood you need, you can always pallet the wood and ship it, or go in with some others from your area to split the shipping costs. I know Hearne Hardwoods ships to customers, I think they have a minimum order, maybe 300 or so, and no clue on shipping costs.


    Back to the wood I cut today, i'll stack it outside for a bunch of months and see what it looks like and decide to use it or put it in the burn pile. I'd hate to make something with it only for there to be bugs hatching out if the wood. The other log I have was further up the trunk and had branches so that is just gonna have a bunch of knots. If it has knots AND bugs it's not even worth cutting it for use.
    Distraction could lead to dismemberment!

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin Jenness View Post
    It's not a bug, it's a feature.
    As a software engineer I can completely respect that!

  8. #8
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    You can build a temporary low cost "kiln" from heavy duty cardboard boxes and a string of work lights with incandescent bulbs.

    Boxes used for washing machines or big flatscreen TVs would work well.

    Use a cheap digital thermometer to keep track of the temperature and get it up over 130* for the afternoon. This should kill any pathogens and bugs eggs in there.

    I do this on occasion. The only anxiety is wondering if the whole shebang will go on fire. If you have a sunny sheltered outdoor spot the sun you'll feel safer if you need to leave the heat box for a few minutes.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Gibney View Post
    You can build a temporary low cost "kiln" from heavy duty cardboard boxes and a string of work lights with incandescent bulbs.

    Boxes used for washing machines or big flatscreen TVs would work well.

    Use a cheap digital thermometer to keep track of the temperature and get it up over 130* for the afternoon. This should kill any pathogens and bugs eggs in there.

    I do this on occasion. The only anxiety is wondering if the whole shebang will go on fire. If you have a sunny sheltered outdoor spot the sun you'll feel safer if you need to leave the heat box for a few minutes.
    I have thought about letting the boards bake in the sun for an afternoon on the driveway which gets really hot in summer as it's south-facing. I'd bet the boards end up warping.

    The idea of a cardboard box and lights seems like a fire hazard, but if it's watched I guess it's ok. I just found out about ceramic heat bulbs used for reptile cages. My daughter got a gecko and we used this light to heat the tank. It gets much hotter than an incandescent bulb and still fights to get the temp of a 20g tank to 90 degrees.
    Distraction could lead to dismemberment!

  10. #10
    Is the wood punky? I had something similar with a maple log I let go too long. Massive amount of figure but the wood was like wet paper. I ended up burning it.

  11. #11
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    Bora care will kill the bugs and protect from future infestations. I have used it many times to kill powder post Beatles with decent success.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Robert Engel View Post
    Is the wood punky? I had something similar with a maple log I let go too long. Massive amount of figure but the wood was like wet paper. I ended up burning it.
    It wasn't punky, but we'll see when it dries out a bit what it looks like.
    Distraction could lead to dismemberment!

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Justin Rapp View Post
    I have thought about letting the boards bake in the sun for an afternoon on the driveway which gets really hot in summer as it's south-facing. I'd bet the boards end up warping.

    The idea of a cardboard box and lights seems like a fire hazard, but if it's watched I guess it's ok. I just found out about ceramic heat bulbs used for reptile cages. My daughter got a gecko and we used this light to heat the tank. It gets much hotter than an incandescent bulb and still fights to get the temp of a 20g tank to 90 degrees.
    You have to get the inside of the wood up to 133 degrees to sterilize it. Sun exposure won't come close. Usual I get my kiln box up to 150 so the heat soaks in.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mitch schiffer View Post
    Bora care will kill the bugs and protect from future infestations. I have used it many times to kill powder post Beatles with decent success.
    I thought Boracare was a preventative pesticide. I didn't know it soaked in and killed larvae.

  15. #15
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    A guy I know wrapped a surplus rifle stock in paper towels and put it on the dash of an old truck he had in his driveway to draw the oil out of it. Would probably get hot enough to kill bugs as well.

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