Posts Tagged ‘insect problems in log homes’

Log Home Restoration – Info on insects

carpenter ants

Carpenter ants

The log home restoration business in Wisconsin and Minnesota puts us in contact with many different kinds of log homes and consequently, many different insects.

Recently through Wisconsin Public Radio and the University of Wisconsin, I came across this link to Insect ID. Click here.

I found that this page and site had allot of good information for the log home owner, whether it had to do with wood boring insects or pest-type insects that are typically found in log cabins. The presence of these insects is sometimes an indicator that you may be in need of log home restorations services.

Below are some resources from our site that might also help with info specifically related to log structures.

RELATED LINKS AND MORE TIPS ON LOG HOME RESTORATION:

Can Borates help prevent infestations

Why do insects infest our log homes?

My logs are infested with bugs. What can I do?

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Posted in Common Problems, Insects and Log Homes/Cabins, Log Home Restoration |
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Chinking log homes – An important part of maintenance

The chinking and caulking in log homes should not be overlooked. Routine maintenance of your log home includes keeping an eye on sealing up the gaps between the logs.  The design of some log buildings requires chinking or caulking but for others, it becomes necessary to do this for various reasons.

chinkingBasically what we are doing when we chink or caulk is filling the gaps between the logs or between logs and windows, doors, foundations, roof lines and other areas where we want to prevent air and water from making its way into the log building or cabin.

While prevention of rot is always our primary concern, energy savings can be another big reason why people chink their log buildings. We have had customers tell us they were able to take advantage of tax credits related to energy savings based on chinking their homes.

Chinking and caulking both rely on latex polymers for adhesion.  The basic difference between caulk and chink is that chinking has fine sand particles added to it. This sand makes the appearance of the chinking dull or “flat” and in the same way that aggregate adds strength to a concrete slab – the sand adds strength to the chinking material. (more…)

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Posted in Log Home Maintenance, Log Home Repair, Log Home Restoration |
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Log homes can have problems with wood boring insects

Carpenter ants present

We have been getting lots of calls from people who are concerned about the tiny holes they see in their logs. It’s that time of year when bugs can become a major concern for a log home owner. Boring insects are a common problem that we see in log homes and cabins. The boring insects that we have in the Midwest are commonly the carpenter ant/bee and the powderpost beetle. These insects bore into your home leaving in their path small holes in the logs and a bit of dust. They feed on deteriorating wood so this really makes them a symptom more than a problem in and of themselves.

The most common insect in log homes is the carpenter ant. The carpenter ant infests wood that is rotting, although they do not cause the rot. The holes these carpenter ants bore are about ¼” in diameter or the size of a pencil.

Powderpost beetle holes are smaller than those made by carpenter ants

Powderpost beetles are also common in log homes but they don’t generally do structural damage and are most times not the best indicator of rotting wood. Their holes are the size of a pencil lead. Neither of these insects do structural damage to the logs themselves but carpenter ants may be a warning sign to you that your logs are getting wet or have some rot in them. (more…)

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Posted in Insects and Log Homes/Cabins |
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