Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Sep 09, 2007 12:21am | #1

   Really first need to confirm that they're actually termites.  I'm a  bit skeptical, unless you had it sitting on the ground somewhere.  What did the critters look like?  If you saw holes, how big are they?  (yes, measure them)

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
1. 
   woodenchicken | Sep 09, 2007 12:45am | #2

   Thanks for your reply. I had the wood stored on a shelf with another chunk of wood about 6 inches of the concrete floor of my garage. The holes are about 3-4 cm in size. As to what they look like, here is a picture.

   
1. 
   Joe Sullivan | Sep 09, 2007 12:53am | #3

   They look termity, but I wouldn't know for sure. However, no need to burn the wood. You could use a chemical insecticide, OR, if you have a good 0 degree freezer, put it in a plastic bag and freeze it for a couple of weeks. Many conservators do that with infested organic materials.Joe

1. 
   woodenchicken | Sep 09, 2007 01:04am | #4

   I don't have a freezer, so as for the chemical what are the effects? Say if I turn a bowl from it later would it be safe for use?

1. 
   Joe Sullivan | Sep 09, 2007 02:57am | #5

   Afraid I couldn't say.  If the burl isn't too big, you might ask a friend to chill it for a week or so.  It might not take that much time, but why take a chance?

   J

2. 
   KeithNewton | Sep 09, 2007 03:36am | #6

   Hey Woodenchicken, Once again I need to jump someone's butt for not filling out your profile. The needed information is your location. There are two types of termites in the USA, and the treatment is determined by your location. If you answer right, you don't need to treat the wood, you need to treat the ground under your garage, so you won't be exposed to any chemicals if you answer right.

3. 
   woodenchicken | Sep 09, 2007 05:33am | #7

   I apologize for the profile. I hope I have got it right now. I live around Houston Texas.

4. 
   KeithNewton | Sep 09, 2007 05:56am | #8

   Sorry for being gruff, and sorry to say that I am afraid that you are in the zone where they could be either type. Anyway, here is a link to tell you more than I can, and they can sell you some chemicals when you know which.
   http://www.epestsupply.com/Termiteinfo.htm?gclid=CN6i7oCwtY4CFREDWAodi2dZww

5. 
   woodenchicken | Sep 09, 2007 06:02am | #9

   That's all right. Thanks for the link I'll check it out. I put the burl back where I have been keeping it. It is away from the rest of my wood so figure I am ok for now.

6. 
   Ron01960 | Sep 09, 2007 06:17am | #10

   This is a question, could you wrap it tightly in aluminum foil, place it in an oven for a period of time at a certain temperature?
   If I remember Houston, its as hot a Panama, maybe wrap the burl in plastic wrap, place on hot-top, that would likely reach 125* or higher. I personally would try these ideas before and chemicals. Just a thought. Good luck
   Ron

7. 
   KeithNewton | Sep 09, 2007 06:39am | #11

   Ron is right, temperature is a good way to kill insects in wood. Although, I thought is was a little higher than that, and it does need to be all of the way to the middle. You can try putting it in a black plastic bag, and putting it out in the sun, and maybe even try to reflect some more light onto it might help if you have something to do that with. It is hard to know with wood though, because it is a good insulator. If the wood is dry, you might get the outside there, but they may be able to hang out in the middle where it is only 100, or so, and still be able to survive. Also don't make the mistake of heating it up real good, then taking it out of the bag to cool. The extra heat will cause it to give up moisture as it cools, and may cause some surface checking as the extra heat gives up moisture while it cools. I would leave it in the bag while it cools down.

8. 
   Ron01960 | Sep 09, 2007 04:17pm | #12

   I would like to add a comment on why I suggested clear plastic.

   Several years ago I read a study about heating up the soil to kill off certain what ever they were trying to sterilize out it. I don't remember the numbers buy I was surprised. Maybe (club root)

   The clear plastic was faster and some 15* warmer. I should point out that's garden soil, in spring, in New England.

   just a comment

   Ron

    

    

    

    

9. 
   KeithNewton | Sep 09, 2007 07:09pm | #15

   Without seeing the actual test, there are a lot of variables like ambient air temperature, soil color, and whether there was airspace under the plastic that could change everything. There must be a good reason that solar kilns have black painted metal under glass.Maybe if the OP wants to try the heat method, he should wrap the burl tightly in black, then put it inside a clear plastic bag with airspace between the black layer and the clear.

10. 
    KiddervilleAcres | Sep 10, 2007 06:13am | #19

    Hi Keith,

    There must be a good reason that solar kilns have black painted metal under glass.

    Yes, it's because dark colors enhance the heat absorbing qualties of a material when exposed to sunlight.  In passive solar heating systems dark coloration of the receiving medium enhancess its heat absorbing ability.  Dull not glossy works best.

    Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

     

    A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

11. 
    BruceT999 | Sep 10, 2007 05:55am | #18

    Clear plastic gets warmer because ultra violet and visible light rays pass through into the soil below and heat it directly. Most of the infra-red radiation back out of the soil does not pass through the plastic and so is retained . Black plastic absorbs sunlight and becomes hot, but shades the soil beneath and there is not much mass to radiate heat inside, so soil stays cooler than under clear plastic.BruceT

2. 
   forestgirl | Sep 09, 2007 06:44pm | #14

   Sorry to be late in replying, looks like you're getting some good help!  Also sad to see you have the bugs. :-(   My 2 cents worth:  I would not use any kind of liquid insecticide on them and then turn them later.  If you simply can't resist, be sure to use a respirator (not a dust mask) when you turn it, and clean up the shop thoroughly afterward. 

   My temptation would be to get one of the borax-type insecticides, and put the burls in a bag with a pretty good amount of that powder.  I'd leave them in there for months, shaking up the bag and rolling the burls around every few days, say a couple times a week.  I don't have time this morning to read the termite info linked above, but try and ID your termites and research their life cycle and habits (how often do they come to the surface), figure out if this would work.  forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   Drew1house | Sep 09, 2007 06:12pm | #13

   They are termites for sure... Please make sure they have not moved from or into your house.

   Drew

3. 
   BruceT999 | Sep 09, 2007 10:34pm | #16

   Several posters have suggested heat. Would it hurt the wood to pop your burl into the microwave oven for a few minutes? Might turn those little buggers into microwave "popcorn".

   BruceT
1. 
   woodenchicken | Sep 09, 2007 11:22pm | #17

   Hi everyone. Sorry I have not replied any sooner. I appreciate all the good responses. I really do not have a clue how they got there and there is no evidence that I can see of their spreading to the rest of the house. The garage is detached from the house so I hope we are alright.
   I think I will try the heat method. I am going to wrap it with some heavy duty plastic saran wrap type stuff and leave it outside for a while in the sun. I am not at all fond of the chemicals. So I guess I will give that a go. If anyone has thoughts on the subject please share. I think this is a good topic that we do not hear much about.

4. 
   caspianhiro | Sep 13, 2007 10:58pm | #20

   I'm in Houston also, and had similar problems with stock I was going to turn.

   I would suggest you just turn it, if you are ready to. By now, you have run off the bulk of the termites, and what is left won't even make much of a mess.

   I've just ignored them and turned wormy ash that way also.