Michael Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Arrrgghhh.....I was sorting out the piles in the smithy, preping for some limited forging time this weekend, when I noticed a stream of sawdust running down the side of my anvil stump, and a pile of sawdust on the ground. This is a California Black Oak stump under my PW. I've got many hours of time invested in flattening and prepping this stump and I'm NOT gonna let the bugs (bug) get it. In the immediate moment, I splashed some lacquer thinner on the hole and then tipped the oil can into the hole till the oil ran down the side. what's my next step? Polyurythane the whole thing? boric Acid wash? Way too much work just in getting a decent sized log section to let it go. Appreciate any suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fe-Wood Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Copper Green or the fire place! You could also put it in a big PAPER bag or cardboard box with a bug bomb. Don't use plastic because it will melt from the chemicals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 I have seen termites destroy an anvil stand here in Arizona, do you have termites up in SF? What other kinds of dead wood eating insects do you have up there, bees, ants, beetles? A plastic trash bag should work just fine, most insect spray won't dissolve them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Wargo New2bs Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 You could get some long acting pesticide from Wal-mart or your local farm co-op. Identify your pest and read the usage label to insure that the vermin in question can be killed by that particular product. Read and follow all warning labels. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Leppo Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 BORAX! It's not just for welding anymore.:Borax for Termite Control My shop has a gravel/dirt floor, and I pour some underneath any pieces of wood that sit on the floor. I got alot of hungry termites in the woods around the shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 Dave I might just rake a bit of borax into my dirt floor for the entire shop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 19, 2010 Author Share Posted March 19, 2010 Borax I've got!! I'll just mix up with a little slack tub water and swab my anvil stand down. Thanks guys! Easier than bagging it, though that will be plan B I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiritrider Posted March 20, 2010 Share Posted March 20, 2010 Sounds like powder post beetles. They're everywhere. I've had them eat my shop stumps and the shop framing. I use the copper treatments. shadowrider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dickb Posted March 20, 2010 Share Posted March 20, 2010 Herw's a method I've used. Non toxic and reasonably safe. Soak it a gallon or a couple of gallons of full strength Clorox bleach. Dick B Arrrgghhh.....I was sorting out the piles in the smithy, preping for some limited forging time this weekend, when I noticed a stream of sawdust running down the side of my anvil stump, and a pile of sawdust on the ground. This is a California Black Oak stump under my PW. I've got many hours of time invested in flattening and prepping this stump and I'm NOT gonna let the bugs (bug) get it. In the immediate moment, I splashed some lacquer thinner on the hole and then tipped the oil can into the hole till the oil ran down the side. what's my next step? Polyurythane the whole thing? boric Acid wash? Way too much work just in getting a decent sized log section to let it go. Appreciate any suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 My neighbor's son is an exterminator and he had two suggestions, number one: burn the stump, not a good one, number two: non-toxic version, black plastic bag set in sunny spot and get temperature up to 130 degree Fahrenheit for 8 hours. Sounds a bit strange to me but he said it works. My anvil stand it 12" box tube. B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 I have bugs in the anvil stump and solved the problem by building the new anvil stump from angle iron. Traded the attack from bugs to attack from rust. Rust I can deal with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21, 2010 Author Share Posted March 21, 2010 Thanks for all the suggestions. I pulled the anvil and bagged the stump out on the patio. A couple good sunny day's (no guarantee of that here in Northern Cal) and we'll see what happens. I'll move onto the borax, then clorox and the stronger nasty chemicals after that. I found it very hard to find logs of any appreciable size in the suburbs and I've got some time invested in this one. I would love to find one of those old 30 gallon oil cans and mostly fill it with sand as an anvil stand too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 I would love to find one of those old 30 gallon oil cans and mostly fill it with sand as an anvil stand too. Call up your repair shops and 10 minute oil change places. Many get 15 or 16 gallon drums that do not have a core charge for transmission fluid and such. About 14 inch diameter. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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