You stack some firewood next to your shed. Next thing you know, there’s a soft clicking inside your walls, and your house is turning into sawdust. Termites don’t just show up out of nowhere—they follow the food.
If you’ve got a buffet sitting five feet from your house, you’re basically hosting an all-you-can-eat invitation, with the after-party being at your house when they’re done with dinner.
Woodpiles Are Termite Tinderboxes
When you stack wood in your backyard, you’re not just prepping for bonfires. You’re offering termites a five-star resort. Dry on the outside, humid on the inside, no wind, no predators, no sunlight blasting them—It’s their dream home—until the colony outgrows it.
Once they start colonizing that woodpile, it doesn’t take long before they start looking around for more real estate. Guess what’s nearby?—Your porch, your deck, your basement—basically anything made of cellulose. Termites don’t do loyalty, they move wherever the next meal is easiest to get to.
Why the Jump Happens at Night or After Rain
You’re probably not watching termites on the move. That’s because they don’t parade around in daylight like tiny marching bands. They move through hidden tunnels underground or in mud tubes along your foundation. After a good rain, the soil gets soft and moist; suddenly, it’s easier to tunnel, and that’s when they spread.
Same deal with nighttime. It’s cooler, safer, and that’s when swarmers—the winged ones—fly out and start scouting new homes. If you’ve ever seen those winged insects flying around your outdoor lights in spring or summer and didn’t think twice—that’s a warning shot.
Distance Doesn’t Stop Them—Moisture Pulls Them In
You might think your woodpile is far enough away—Thirty feet? Fifty? It doesn’t matter. If you’ve got a leaky spigot near the foundation, mulch piled high against your siding, or some damp soil under your deck, that’s like neon signage attracting termites to a free lunch. Moisture tells them where survival is easiest, and they’ll move in.
Once they sense it, they don’t explore—they commit. They’ll build highways of mud from the woodpile straight to your subfloor, and you won’t know it’s happening until your vacuum punches through the baseboards.
Common Termite Entry Points Around Homes
Termites don’t just march in through the front door. Common access points include foundation cracks, gaps near utility lines, poorly sealed windows, and wooden elements that are in direct contact with soil. Pay special attention to wood siding, porch supports, and any untreated lumber outdoors. Sealing and maintaining these areas can go a long way in termite prevention.
They Bring the Colony with Them
It’s not like one termite wanders into your house and calls it a day. Termites are all about the long con. They bring their workers, soldiers, even the queen if they’re starting a satellite colony. That innocent piece of split oak you brought home last fall? If it came with passengers, you’ve already lost the first round. Termites will happily chew paper, cardboard, and even drywall. Once they’re inside your home, they don’t slow down until you stop them—or until the structure gives out.
Your Woodpile Isn’t the Problem—Your Setup Is
You can still keep wood outside, but stop stacking it like you’re building a beaver dam. Raise it off the ground using cinder blocks, pallets, or a firewood rack. Leave space between the pile and your siding and avoid tucking it under your deck. Keep it dry, keep it elevated, and you’ll make it way less tempting.
Termites are lazy opportunists, they want the path of least resistance. Don’t give them a shortcut. If you spot signs like hollow-sounding wood, little dirt tunnels, or discarded wings near your baseboards, it might already be time to call in the experts. But even if you’re in the clear right now, don’t wait until your next BBQ gets interrupted by a crumbling porch stair.
Your woodpile doesn’t have to be a gateway for termites to enter your home. Because once termites get comfortable, they don’t stop chewing until there’s nothing left to eat.
Signs of a Termite Infestation
Not sure if termites have made the jump from the woodpile to your house? Here are a few red flags:
- Mud tubes on walls or foundation
- Hollow-sounding wood when tapped
- Discarded wings around windows or doors
- Blistered or bubbling paint, which may hide termite activity
- Tight-fitting doors or windows, caused by warped wood from termite damage
Spotting any of these? It’s time to take action.
Hire a Professional – ABC Termite & Pest Control Company – Omaha & Lincoln
If you’re concerned about pest infestations or want a professional to evaluate your home’s pest prevention strategies, don’t hesitate to reach out to a local Nebraska pest control expert.
Find a reputable pest control company in Omaha or Lincoln that you TRUST. Ask about their termite inspection and pest management services. You may think you are saving money, however, a single misapplication could have significant and adverse or deadly consequences for you or your loved ones. Contact ABC Termite & Pest Control in Omaha & Lincoln, NE to talk with an exterminator today!
