Wood-Dwelling Wasps

Mason Wasp sized by a dime

Insects of various species like to inhabit or ingest wood and so in construction, preservatives are often necessary to keep them at bay. Logs have their usual, commonly-known arthropod offenders: carpenter ants, carpenter bees, powderpost beetles, and termites. Every now and then, however, we have to dig out the entomology books to identify a new culprit. Such is the case this summer, when a dozen or so individuals reported holes in their logs being occupied by a very small hornet-looking insect, as shown in the submitted photo.

After flipping through some books and surfing images on the Internet, we determined the insect was a mason wasp, also known as a potter wasp. For the scientists in the room, this collection of insects is classified in the subfamily of Vespidae with other wasps and hornets, and it is sometimes recognized more specifically in a separate family as Eumenidae.

Mason wasps are a predatory insect that feed on the larva of other insects and build nest with mud but at times will dwell in holes of wood for nesting purposes. They also build mud walls to divide and seal their chambers. Though they may be seen flying in and out of holes in the logs of your home, chances are they didn't make the holes. They are probably using preexisting holes for their nests, and so other than a nuisance they are of no particular harm. They can even be beneficial as they prey on tent caterpillars/army worms, and other problematic larva.

If they are found to be a pest and extermination is the goal, insecticides can be put in the holes, which can later be disguised by a log home caulk. Because of the mud barriers they put up to protect larva, it is wise to poke a wire into the hole before applying an insecticide to break their mason walls.

Photo credit: Julie Johnsen

More information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potter_wasp

The Scoop on Borates

Most of us have heard of borax; in fact the brand 20 Mule Team Borax is a household name. Chemically known as sodium borate, sodium tetra borate, and disodium tetraborate, it is used for cleaning, fire retardation, and fluxing in metallurgy.

Did you know that a similar product to borax, disodium octoborate tetrahydrate, is commonly used in the preservation of wood structures? Like borax, disodium octoborate tetrahydrate is a white powder that dissolves easily in water, making it nearly clear when applying to a substrate. Because of its nature as a fungicide and toxicity to wood-boring insects, it has become a standard in preventative treatment for log homes.

Disodium octoborate tetrahydrate is easily dissolved in water, which makes application of the powder a cinch. After your application dries, there may be some residual white crystals on the surface. This is easily brushed off. Because the borate powder is water-soluable, it requires a wood stain or sealer over top or else a few rain showers and the white crystals will be pulled right back out of the wood.

It is more commonly and easily known by its brand names, including Armor Guard, PeneTreat and Timbor. They are easy to mix and apply for both preventative and remedial purposes. It must go on bare wood, and as a relatively inexpensive and easy step to preserve your wood, it is well-worth consideration before staining your wood!

The Resination of Logs

 Are your logs bleeding? Many plants secrete an oozing pitch, also known as resin. This hydrocarbon component is not necessarily the same compound as 'sap,' which refers to the lifeblood fluid of a plant that transports water and nutrients. Resins do not carry nutrients like sap does, but they can provide other benefits to the plant to aid in its defense. Log home owners, especially of homes built from coniferous trees, may experience the frustration of pitch oozing from their logs creating some unsightly gobs on the wood.

Dripping resins often occur on warm days when the heat of the sun warms the pitch in the wood and they flow out of the wood in an increasingly liquid state. Pitch drippings are no destructive to log homes; in contrast, the presence of resins in the wood are actually beneficial to their preservation. Homeowners may find the dripping pitch to be an eyesore, however, and seek ways to remove it.

Clean-up of pitch drips is fairly simple: large, congealed gobs can be scraped off with a putty knife or similar tool. Residual traces of the pitch can be cleaned off with denatured alcohol, also known as methylated spirits. What isn't simple is the fact that some logs, especially if cut in the summer, may seem to have an unending amount of resin contained in them. Many people have sought a product that can be applied over knots and cracks to lock the bleeding in, but periodic cleaning is the only effective treatment.

Other than the recurring drips of fluid pitch coming from logs, there are also great benefits of beauty in tree resins. Resins have historically been an important ingredient in creating varnishes and many log home finishes, and resins like frankincense and myrrh have historic, therapeutic value as essential oils. Petrified, hardened pieces of resin are known as amber and used in jewelry. The ancient insects found captured in amber is a good reminder that resin is valuable in defending wood against its predators. So while scraping off those gobs of coniferous pitch, remember that it does have a purpose; even if it gives a few side-effect headaches along the way.

by John E. Schroeder

More information on plant resins:
 "Plant Resins: Chemistry, evolution, ecology, and ethnobotany", by Jean Langenheim, Timber Press, Portland, OR. 2003

Happy Saint Urho's Day!

The holiday of St. Patrick's Day is well known and well celebrated across America every March 17th. Lesser known is the holiday preceding Patty on March 16th. St. Urho's Day. Maybe it's recognized here in Minnesota than in Finland, but it celebrates St. Urho's feat of leading the Grasshoppers out of Finland (more info on this site).

We celebrate St. Urho's Day at Schroeder Log Home Supply for several reasons. First, we have a staff member Keeley, who has strong Finnish heritage. Second, there are many others in northern Minnesota with Finnish descent. Finally, the development of log home building owes much to Finnish craftsman who along with other Northern Europeans, refined the techniques and brought them to the Americas.

So put on something purple, and have a Happy Saint Urho's Day!

Iconic Logs: Staten Island Chuck's Log Cabin

On this, the second of February, Punxsutawney Phil makes his annual prediction about the coming of spring by coming out of his burrow in Pennsylvania. If he sees his shadow, there will be six additional weeks of winter; if not, then spring is on its way. In essence, according to the groundhog, shadows are bad!

In a log home, we have a different view. Shadows on your logs, to a certain extent, are good! Shadows mean protection for your logs from the sun and rain via long overhang of the eaves. Shadows are also good when applying a log home finish, because application of stain in direct sunlight can lead to flash-drying and improper penetration of the stain into the wood. So shadows might be bad for the groundhog, but when you're in a log home, shade is good!

Incidentally, while Punxsutawney Phil is the groundhog of fame, he has a colleague to the north in New York. Staten Island Chuck is another rodent in the shadow watching business; but rather than a hole in the ground, Chuck lives in style. That's right, folks. Staten Island Chuck lives in a log cabin. That's a groundhog I can admire, and that's another way log cabins and log homes are interwoven with American history and culture!

Iconic Logs: Booker T Washington's Birthplace

There are notable U.S. Presidents who had humble beginnings in small log cabins, but they aren't the only leaders of this great nation who have started their life in a log home. In honor of Black History Month, we look at Booker T Washington.

Born in 1856, he was an orator, educator, author and political leader. He began life humbly as a slave in a cabin with a dirt floor; but determination and passion drove him through tiers of education, political leadership, and other notable landmarks. A powerful speaker, he became a driving force in the early events that led to the Civil Rights Movement, such as the Atlanta Compromise. Washington is a prime example on how historic log homes are dovetailed with the lives of crucial leaders in our country.

Washington was instrumental in starting schools, seeking support from philanthropists, educating others, and building a network of influential contacts. He professed the path to social equality for the African American community was through "industry, thrift, intelligence and property."

There is more information on Booker T Washington, an influential American leader who started life in a log cabin, on Wikipedia.

Sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_T._Washington

Log Home of Lamb?

Fiberglass, foam and oakum are all typical ways to insulate between courses of a log home; But did you know many naturally inclined builders use wool as an insulator? Ewe better believe it; log home of lamb is a great way to build naturally with a minimal carbon footprint. Wool insulation is a cozy sweater for your log home.

Wool has proven to be a viable insulation in the laterals and notches of log homes and for ceiling and studwall insulation. It's an environmentally friendly alternative to other products available on the market, most notably, pink fiberglass insulation. Wool fibers trap millions of microscopic pockets of air allowing for its insulating abilities. It also wicks moisture instead of absorbing it. Some wool insulation offered for log homes have been infused with borates for increased log rot resistance while being safe for humans and animals. Wool insulation typically comes in two different styles: wool ropes and wool batts.

The U.S. Department of Energy lists Sheep's Wool Batting with an R Value of about 3.5 per inch.

So, if you are looking to build with natural products that leave a minimal carbon footprint, you might think about letting the sheep help you insulate your home!