Good questions J. since rough cut wood will many times conceal all kinds of insects. Bark beetles are usually easy to see but other pests like CARPENTER BEES, CARPENTER ANTS, POWDERPOST BEETLES, BARK BEETLES and even TERMITES can be present. Pine isn't normally home to Powderpost beetles but there are some other small beetle species which like it so the list of potential problem pests is quite long for White Pine to say the least.  Regardless, it's easy to miss some activity any one tree may have since so many pests could be attracted to it. For this reason it makes sense to do some preventive treatment prior to the installation. This is especially true when the wood is to be kept large in size and diameter. Many pests will burrow deep into the timber, far beyond where Bark Beetles live, and are difficult to see or identify. Wood which is to be kept larger than 2×4's can easily conceal significant insect activity.

The good news is that products like BORACARE make safeguarding and protecting large wood possible. And by treating logs ahead of time, one can avoid a lot of hassle before the problem spreads. This unique product works so well because it penetrates wood getting deep down to the heart of the log where chewing and eating larva can do real damage. As explained in our POWDERPOST BEETLE CONTROL ARTICLE, it's not uncommon for different species of insects to live deep in the wood waiting to emerge when conditions get right. This might not be for years after the installation but during this time they could be doing all kinds of damage and destruction.

To avoid this happening, treat all rough cut lumber with BORACARE. It's easy to use as our video demonstrates but more importantly, once applied insects and destructive wood fungi won't stand a chance. Since this lumber is to be used inside, I'm sure one treatment will last at least 5-10 years. This will both safeguard it from future problems and be sure to knock out anything active at the time of the treatment. Once allowed to dry 48-72 hours, all treated lumber can be further processed and installed. True it takes longer to completely cure but you can handle and process the wood earlier if need be. Otherwise letting it sit for several weeks would be find too. The point is getting it installed insect free and well treated would be smart. We deal with so many cases where it's too late and the homeowner is confronted with some horrific options due to complex construction, the size of the lumber, etc. The bottom line is an ounce of prevention can go a long way here for sure.

Give us a call on our toll free 1-800-877-7290 for further details or to answer any of your questions but the videos we have posted combined with the detailed directions should be enough to get you treating without delay. Since you intend on "air drying" the finished wood, this fits in perfect with what one would do when using this product anyway.

In this day and age, it's smart to take a close look at recurring contracts and service agreements. I believe the best way to view these costs is to compare them to other forms of "insurance". For some people, they can't get enough insurance. It buys them peace of mind and with it a comfort making the cost worth the price. But still the question must be asked: do I really need this extra protection?

When it comes to pest control contracts, the decision making process can get extra cloudy and mired with uncertainty. Just what is the relative risk for any one pest? Wood destroying insects like termites, carpenter ants and powderpost beetles are all capable of doing damage in most any home. This damage can many times go unnoticed enabling it to accumulate in size. For this reason many service companies offer long term contracts. These contracts offer a way to avoid costly repairs should a problem reappear. In theory they should also help to catch problems sooner rather than later since you will have a "fresh" set of eyes inspecting the property from year to year if you keep the contract current. If the inspection is being done by a knowledgeable expert, they can many times identify structural issues which can be fixed before they lead to further problems. Since a good home inspection can cost several hundred dollars, it would seem as though the $150.00 annual renewal you listed above is well worth the cost.

So in summary, a good starting point to this decision can stem from the annual inspection itself. If you feel you are getting a good look over and are comfortable with the "protection" your contract provides, it may be worth keeping it current. This would certainly be true if you plan on selling the house in the coming months or if there is a "history" of powderpost beetle problems in the home. But as explained in our POWDERPOST BEETLE ARTICLE, most treatments will last several years and over this time knock out existing populations making it less likely to have another problem surface. And if the home has been pest free for 5 years or more and you don't plan on selling it for 3 or more years, clearly the "present value" of the contract will be notably less and maybe not worth the $150.00. Like other forms of insurance, many of us will usually fall on one side of the coverage: either we'll take full advantage of it getting more than our money's worth or we'll pay the premium year after year and never have one bad thing happen. The trick is knowing which policies to keep current and which to let expire without cause for alarm. If you ever figure out how to make this judgement, please let me know! But for now, my advise is to go with your instincts. Think it over and weigh both options carefully. And if you have further questions or concerns, give us a call on our toll free 1-800-877-7290 for some technical assistance.