If you’re out camping, remember that a frequently overlooked danger is creeping into forests and backyards: invasive pests hitchhiking in firewood. According to the University of California’s recent public advice, transporting firewood, even if seasoned and seemingly clean, can unknowingly introduce destructive insects and tree diseases to new areas.
Pests such as the emerald ash borer, spotted lanternfly, goldspotted oak borer, and Mediterranean oak borer are among the high-risk stowaways. Some bore into wood, others lay camouflaged eggs on logs or branches. Diseases like sudden oak death can also spread via contaminated firewood. For example, the goldspotted oak borer, likely introduced to San Diego through firewood, has already killed tens of thousands of oak trees across Southern California.
Imported pests don’t stay in the woods. Once they emerge from logs, they can infest urban forests, degrade air and water quality, and increase fire risk. Diseased or damaged trees may fall unexpectedly, threaten homes, clog waterways, and strain local government budgets. Infested wood can also endanger firewood stacks at home, potentially inviting pests that damage buildings and threaten food storage.
If you believe there might be a pest infestation, contact your local pest control operator (PCO). These experts are essential in the prevention of environmental and structural damage. Their expertise, combined with detection tools, monitoring systems, and proven treatment protocols, is needed to stop infestations before they spread.
What the Public Should Know
UC ANR advises campers and homeowners to “Buy wood where you burn it.” Purchase firewood onsite at campgrounds or within a short radius (ideally within 10 miles, no more than 50) to prevent pest spread. Even seasoned firewood isn’t safe. IC ANR warns that this wood can harbor eggs, larvae, or fungal pathogens hidden deep within the wood.
Through local sourcing and educating the public about pest transport, we can equip pest control operators with tools to defend our forests, cities, and homes. Together, we can protect California’s beauty, safety, and environmental resilience, one log at a time.
