New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

Nearly 50% of retail firewood infested with insects, study finds

Date:
October 8, 2012
Source:
Entomological Society of America
Summary:
A new study reports that live insects were found in 47% of firewood bundles purchased from big box stores, gas stations and grocery stores in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.
Share:
FULL STORY

A new study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology reports that live insects were found in 47% of firewood bundles purchased from big box stores, gas stations and grocery stores in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

Untreated firewood can harbor pathogens and destructive insects such as the emerald ash borer, the Asian longhorned beetle, bark beetles and others, and transport them to uninfested areas. Furthermore, the risk of moving insects in untreated firewood is high, the authors found, because insects emerged up to 558 days from the purchase date of the wood.

There are currently no national regulations on the commercial firewood industry that require firewood to be treated before use or sale to reduce the possibility of live insects or pathogens on or in the wood. Several state and federal agencies are attempting to reduce the risk of introducing invasive native or exotic species by restricting the distance firewood can move from its origin and by enacting outreach programs to educate the public.

However, the authors conclude that heat-treating firewood before it is shipped so that insects or pathogens are killed would be prudent and would not restrict firewood commerce as much as bans on firewood movement across state borders.


Story Source:

Materials provided by Entomological Society of America. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Jacobi, W. R.; Hardin, J. G.; Goodrich, B. A.; Cleaver, C. M. Retail Firewood Can Transport Live Tree Pests. Journal of Economic Entomology, 2012; 105 (5): 1645-1658(14) DOI: 10.1603/EC12069

Cite This Page:

Entomological Society of America. "Nearly 50% of retail firewood infested with insects, study finds." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 8 October 2012. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121008134224.htm>.
Entomological Society of America. (2012, October 8). Nearly 50% of retail firewood infested with insects, study finds. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 3, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121008134224.htm
Entomological Society of America. "Nearly 50% of retail firewood infested with insects, study finds." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121008134224.htm (accessed December 3, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES