I am sure this question has been asked and answered, but if you would allow me to ask it one more time, I would appreciate it. I am starting to think about entering a piece in a woodworking show this spring. One of the requirements is to use locally saws, salvaged and/or found wood. I am experimenting with turning some dead branches I have found in the woods. The pieces I am using are are pretty solid, however, I am still worried about bugs in the wood. My questions are; How much should I worry about bugs in solid wood? Also, what can I do to take care of any bugs?
Any input would be very helpful.
Brent
Replies
Brent,
These are good questions. First I would tap the hard wood sticks you are going to use on the ground as hard as you can. Find a piece of cement or river rocks from the edges of a cliff. Swing as hard as you can to see if they sound hollow. If they sound as if hollow or they have a dull loose feel then they may be full of Stinging Mustard beetles or Dingo spider flies. Both creatures offer a crazy sharp bite and will tend to buzz with great fury. Either way they scare me and others. If you do notice this to be the case set the sticks on fire and extinguish with damp paper towels. Rub them over the bark of a pine tree and the one's that live will evacuate within 3-4 days. Hope this helps. Hey let me know what you are going to turn with the hard wood and good luck in that contest. Hit me back....
talk atcha later,
bradbird
Brad,
spider flies...
Years ago, on a boy scout backpack trip, one of the other leaders picked up a stick trailside to help with a knee that was bothering him. I was following him down the trail, when about 20-30' after he picked up the stick, he suddenly swatted the air beside his ear. Two or three steps later he did the same thing. Next step, he stopped, and looked around wildly, swatting at the bumblebee that was divebombing him. Since I was standing by, I happened to notice a second bee emerging from a 1/2" hole in the side of his walking stick. Suddenly, he didn't need that stick, and his knee was very much better, thank you!
Ray
Pay absolutely no attention to bradbird (Charles Stanford)
Do a little research on the web - you can heat the wood in a conventional oven (if your wife doesn't mind) for a certain period of time at X degrees (not sure - you will have to look it up). At a certain temp, the heat kills any larvae that may be in the wood and tunnel out to the surface after your piece is completed. Having the wood kiln dried or sprayed/dipped/soaked in pesticide is the only other options to be sure they won't come out at a later date.
Good luck,
Lee
Truly harmful bugs, while they do exist, are quite rare. There are a greater number of harmless bugs that inhabit wood but won't spread to your home. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it.
John W.
I agree with John White. Besides, once you get the bark off you will see any obvious holes, anyway. Oven heating is likely to give you big radial cracks in wood still in the round, and may warp other wood. Pesticides will give you toxic dust when you work them. If you are truly worried, try freezing the wood for a while. That is what museum folk do to get rid of vermin.Joe
I haven't seen any holes in the two pieces I have played around with. I really like the freezing idea, since the Michigan winter should take care of that for meThank for all the posts.
Brent
Winter don't bother them. They decimated a pile of spalted maple I had. Burnt it all.
I agre with what John White has said in regards to the fact that it is unlikely that any bugs will pose an infestation problem in your home if they exit the wood. However, should they come to the surface after a piece is completed, the holes left (and sawdust) would be unsightly.
Having said that, a few comments need to be cleared up:
Look for entry holes and if you see them leave the wood there
Besides, once you get the bark off you will see any obvious holes, anyway.
Powder post beetles lay eggs in the open pores of wood. They remain there for quite some time and the tree covers the eggs with new growth. After pupation they hatch and bore out to the surface of the wood. The beetles do not bore their way into the log or tree. There would be no "entrance" holes.
If you are truly worried, try freezing the wood for a while.
Freezing will not kill the larvae as it weathers the northern winters just fine. Your home freezer won't get any colder than the winters in Vermont so that's not going to kill the larvae. The rule of thumb to kill the larvae is 180 degrees (heat) for 30 minutes.
There is a wealth of knowledge at http://www.powderpostbeetles.com
Lee
Looking at the probem of bugs in wood from the other side, when you finish the turned project (using varnish, oils, etc.), you will kill whatever is still inside the work. This is acceptable practice for making furniture or projects using ash from trees killed by Emerald Ash Borer, a big problem pest here in Michigan.
Dave
Unfortunately I have personally had powder post beetles (larvae) boring their way out of nicely finished pieces!! A disgusting and disturbing experience. I microwave such wood now. It dries quickly and with little shrinkage damage and I make sure to get it warm enough to bake any critters inside. This strategy seems pretty successful so far. If there are no holes though I wouldn't worry much... most infested wood has noticeable holes. Don't pass up all of the infested wood though as much of it is very fine . The holes and resultant water staining can be extremely attractive if used judiciously... just microwave 'em okay? Here's a pic of a recent wormy peg made of green persimmon... you can see what I mean about the wood being worth the trouble (I think anyway).
Edited 1/16/2008 4:36 pm ET by bigfootnampa
How long do you leave a piece in the microwave? What power level do you use? I have only tried putting wood in a microwave one time (with success) but am wondering if there are any guidelines you follow.Brent
I just use full power but only a minute or two at a time unless I have been doing several pieces and established a good idea of proper timing. Put it in and cook it a little and then check it. It will steam as long as there is excess moisture in the wood. When it is too hot too handle let it cool a bit before more baking. After several heating cycles it will cease steaming much and start to get real hot quickly... at this point BE VERY CAREFUL (I once burned a ruinous hole in a very beautiful candleholder) because you can overheat and burn it easily. Cut your times down now and check it very often. I will sometimes weigh the piece to check the drying progress. When the weight remains unchanged after heating the piece is dry.
This is essentially a very simple process but there is the critical danger point when the moisture in the wood is nearly all driven off and overheating to the point of charring is a very real possibility. Thus when you have boiled off the bulk of the moisture you must approach the the fully dried state with full attention and caution.
The bugs get boiled dry too (:-). Some bowls will crack a bit but most pieces small enough for the microwave and which do not contain the pith will dry well this way with minimal problems.
If you have ever saw what a Powderpost Beetle can do you will heat the wood in an oven, Look for entry holes and if you see them leave the wood there unless its an outstanding shape.
http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef616.asp
Brown Rot, White Rot and other Wood Pestilence, with photos.
http://www.woodenboatvb.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?t=71429
Edited 1/16/2008 4:41 pm by BobSmalser
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