Replies

1. 
   ted | Nov 11, 2007 12:55am | #1

   I wouldn't be too concerned about what is already in there. those bugs will need to get back into the ground to survive. So with or without the bug spray they'll likely be dead soon. Termites travel between their food source and their nest underground (at least the more common subterranean types common to North America). They move between the two realms via earthen tubes that they construct. Often times the tubes go unnoticed because either they are hidden inside walls or shrubbery or debris is obscuring them on foundation walls for example. Unless your wood is outside and in contact with the ground or hidden in a corner of the shop that you don't pay much attention too chances are you'll see the life line tubes leading to your wood. Usually by the time termites start munching on furniture or a wood stash there will be far worse problems with the building the wood is in.

1. 
   tinkerer2 | Nov 11, 2007 05:05am | #4

   "They'll likely be dead soon"

   Very true, and further more only the queen can reproduce, and she is left behind because she lives in the soil.  True only of the subterranean type.

2. 
   saschafer | Nov 11, 2007 01:36am | #2

   As ted says, the subterranean termites commonly present throughout most of the U.S. won't survive in dry wood. But just to be sure, where are you located (or, more importantly, where was the walnut located before you received it)? Another type of termite, present in the southwestern U.S., can infest dry wood, including furniture.

   -Steve

    

   
   

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   Edited 11/10/2007 5:43 pm ET by saschafer

1. 
   JMorris | Nov 12, 2007 07:13am | #5

   Thank you all for the very helpful advice!  I live halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento in California.  The walnut is from an old tree on our property that we cut down last year.  After cutting it down to the base of the main branches (we left the seven foot tall stump for now), we stacked up several of the crotch pieces beside the tree. 

1. 
   saschafer | Nov 12, 2007 04:49pm | #6

   I used to live halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento (Vacaville).

   You're at the northern border for dry-wood termites, so it's unlikely that you have them, but not impossible. I'd store the wood off the ground (preferably stickered over a solid floor, like a concrete slab) and out of the weather and keep an eye on it.

   -Steve

    

3. 
   JMartinsky | Nov 11, 2007 02:50am | #3

   Dear J,
   I have been repairing termite damage on houses for twenty years now and what Ted & Steve says is spot on.

   Best,

   John