5 Frustrating Fireplace Pests

5 Frustrating Fireplace Pests

As we get further into winter, fireplaces in homes across the country are gradually becoming the favorite features of homes. No matter how many technological advances we make, there is still something so cozy and nostalgic about sitting by the fireplace on a freezing day. Unfortunately, not even fireplaces are safe from potential pest invasions. A roaring fireplace is not safe enough to invade, but a dormant fireplace is the prime spot for multiple pest species to call home. The main culprits of these infestations are typically seeking warm shelter, food, or both, which means there may be a whole population of unwelcome guests in the home for the holidays. 

Roaches

That’s right: one of the largest problem pests have also been known to invade fireplaces and chimneys. Cockroaches are scavengers, so multiple species will disperse from their original hiding spot within the fireplace. Roaches carry a countless amount of bacteria on their bodies that can then transfer to the surfaces they walk and live on, which is bad enough. But it gets worse when they leave droppings and urine behind on multiple surfaces while they contaminate our food! If you don’t see any cockroach remnants or droppings, another sign of infestation is to see how the people in the home are feeling. The wings and egg cases of roaches are known to increase allergy and asthma symptoms in people who experience those conditions. 

One of the most frequent faces of a cockroach invasion in fireplaces, understandably so, is the wood cockroach. These are most common in northern states, especially in wooded areas. Wood roaches like to use older wood as their shelter, which means they could accidentally be carried into a home when transporting firewood. Male wood roaches are more likely to invade in hordes, as they have longer wings that allow them to travel further distances. But if a female wood roach invades first, she will attract multiple male roaches who want to mate with her. The good news about wood roaches is that they will not last long once they are inside and away from the wood, as they need rotten wood and moisture to survive. In general, cockroaches tend to invade darker and damper places than the fireplace, but it is still important to inspect the firewood before bringing it in and lighting the fire.

Ants

Although we know ants for their love of food, they can invade other parts of the home besides the kitchen. House ants like to stay warm and have a secure shelter for their massive colonies, and that can be found around the fireplace. They can nest in the fireplace if it is not used every day, and can even dig behind walls to create a nest that is completely hidden. No matter where the ants choose to nest, they need open areas nearby to scavenge for food. The fireplace is a perfect spot for that because the ants can go back up the way they came in, which was likely through the chimney. The chimney is the easiest place to invade, especially if a tree hangs over the roof and provides a walkway for the ants. 

Ants are a major problem in the summer due to the abundance of food and backyard barbecues, but winter is still an active time for the ants that find a warm shelter. They are more likely to invade when the weather is bad, as the tiny insects need to be protected from the elements. Odorous house ants are one of the most common ant species that invade homes every year, and like to live inside a warm hidden area indoors, like the fireplace. These tiny black ants love our food and will scavenge for any crumbs and food remnants they can find. These ants get the “odorous” part of their name from the strange smell they emit when squished; some people liken it to rotten coconut or bleu cheese. No matter which ant species are most common in your area, sealing all entry points and trimming back tree branches are the most effective ways to prevent ants from marching in and making a mess of your fireplace.

Spiders

Considering the fact that spiders are one of the most common winter pests, it is no surprise that they would be found in the cozy fireplace. Spiders value warmth and dry shelter above all, so a stagnant fireplace is perfect for them. They like to stay in the shadows most of the time, but sit near any pockets of light since that is where their prey is likely to appear. Spiders also need a secure place to lay their eggs, and the deep corners of the fireplace are perfect for that, which is not a fact anyone wants to think about late at night. Any spider can hide in the fireplace, but hunting spiders, like wolf spiders, tend to favor this spot the most. They can hide in the shadows as they wait for their prey to approach, and since hunting spiders don’t craft webs to live in, they can stay warm in the cozy fireplace in between meals.

There are a couple of ways that spiders can infiltrate a fireplace. One is if real firewood is used, and a spider is accidentally brought in on the wood from the pile outside. Spiders like to hide from us as much as possible, so they will immediately seek shelter once inside. The other way is if their prey hitchhikes on that firewood or sneaks their way into the fireplace through the chimney or cracks in the mortar. Spiders need to live where their food is readily available, so anyplace that has many insects and small pests is more likely to also have spiders. The gas smell from gas fireplaces also attracts spiders, and they will find it to be the perfect spot for expanding their family. If a spider builds webs in the gas lines, which they often do, it can block the gas from filtering through and becomes a hazard. Tidying the fireplace and shuffling the wood around is the best way to ensure there are no spiders in hiding, as well as keeping the pilot light on to ward off any curious arachnids.

Rodents

Many of these pests are hidden and often not found until they make a mess, but rodents are definitely one of the more obvious pests. Between the squeaking, scrabbling of paws, and abundance of droppings and nesting remnants, rats and mice make their presence known very early on. The most common way that rodents enter a fireplace is through the chimney, but they can also use cracks in the mortar. Rats, mice, and squirrels are the frequent culprits of this practice, and can be quite the annoyance once inside. The warmth-loving rodents find the fireplace to be the easiest warm shelter, even when it has not been used in a while. 

The horror of having a rat or mouse family living in the fireplace does not end with their initial entry. Rodents can actually live out their whole lives in the chimney or fireplace, since they scavenge for food and water elsewhere at night. This unfortunately means that rodents also die while in these tight spots, and may not be found for quite some time. A strange musty smell coming from your fireplace that is not in use is likely a hint of a rodent invasion. If you thought a live rat or mouse is unappealing, a deceased one smells and looks even worse. They can block the air flow through the chimney if they are in just the right spot when they pass away. Make sure to shut the chimney when the fireplace is not in use, and keep an eye (and nose) out for any scattered ash or strange smells.

Wood-Boring Pests

This group is more likely to be a problem in real fireplaces that require outdoor firewood, but they can still cause issues in multiple wooden structures regardless. These pests use firewood as both their food and shelter, making the fireplace an ultimate home base for them. Some of the most common species are carpenter ants, termites, and wood-boring beetles. Termites and wood-boring beetles need the wood to survive, as it is their only food, but carpenter ants don’t actually consume the wood they vigorously gnaw through. They mainly eat other insects, plant juices, and honeydew from smaller pests. The wood-boring pests mainly enjoy damaged or moist wood, but they can still invade firewood that has been sitting outside for quite some time.It is easy to miss these small pests when bringing more firewood inside since they live inside the deep, intricate tunnels they create within the wood. But once the wood is inside the warm home, the pests will begin to heat up and gain more energy. This is when they can scatter outside of their wooden homes in a mass confusion, since they are no longer in the chilly temperatures outdoors. 

However, some of them will stay inside the fireplace anyway since they only like the specific wood found in there. Either way, wood-boring pests that use the firewood to invade typically do not last long inside. Wood-boring beetles need the firewood to live, and will not have their food or shelter once the wood is burning. Carpenter ants and termites can survive in the framework of our houses, but they can either be found by us beforehand or die without the firewood to sustain them once the fireplace is in use. This group of pests is not one to mess with, so contacting pest control is your best bet at combating any wood-boring pests that find the house more interesting than the firewood.

Pointe Turns Up the Heat on Winter Pest Control

The specific steps you take to prevent pests from invading your fireplace completely depends on the type of fireplace you have. A gas fireplace is different from an electric one, and both are separate from the classic wood fireplace. A general tip to keep in mind is to keep the actual fireplace front covered when not in use. The door or screen that is often attached to fireplaces will keep many pests out that could otherwise invade your living area with ease. If you have a chimney, keep the flue closed when the fireplace is off and cooled. This will keep the pests from using the chimney as a direct highway into your home, and is the safest way to maintain both the fireplace and chimney in between uses.

No matter what type of fireplace you have, or if you don’t have one in general, our team is always here to protect your home from persistent pests. The primary focus of many of our services is providing barrier treatments, which is targeted at pest issues located on the exterior of the home. We de-web and set bait and traps to keep pests away from the house, as well as fill any small entry points that pests have been using. Contact us to learn more about our EPA-approved services and how we can keep your home warm and cozy, not wriggling and creepy with pests, this winter!

Citations

Crow, S. (2021, September 22). Not cleaning this could be inviting spiders to your home, experts say. BestLife. Available at https://bestlifeonline.com/news-fireplace-spiders/ (Accessed on December 19, 2022).

Effective ways to keep pests out of your fireplace and chimney. (2020, May 5). Woodstoves – Fireplaces. Retrieved December 19, 2022, from https://www.woodstoves-fireplaces.com/blog/effective-ways-to-keep-pests-out-of-your-fireplace-and-chimney/ 

Green, T. (2022, May 31). Ants in chimney? 5 effective ways to keep them out!. Golden Chimney. Available at https://goldengatechimney.com/ants-in-chimney/ (Accessed on December 19, 2022).

How to keep rodents out of your fireplace and home. (n.d.). Burlington Fireplace & Solar. Retrieved December 19, 2022, from https://www.burlingtonfireplace.com/keep-rodents-out-of-your-fireplace-and-home/ 

Keep out! How to help rodent-proof your fireplace. (n.d.). Terminix. Retrieved December 19, 2022, from https://www.terminix.com/rodent-control/rodent-proof-your-fireplace/ 

Wood cockroaches. (n.d.). Orkin Canada. Retrieved December 19, 2022, from https://www.orkincanada.ca/pests/cockroaches/wood-cockroaches/