14 Mysterious Creatures That Could Hide in Your Woodpile

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A neat stack of firewood is just so cozy, I don’t know why. However, before you celebrate the winter prep you’ve done, know that your woodpile may be more than just an emergency wood supply for crackling fires. It’s also a cozy hideaway for a whole host of critters, from the harmless to the creepy. Critters love woodpiles — they’re like cozy motels for them, something warm with shelter and bugs to eat.

If you’ve a woodpile, you’re unknowingly hosting a tiny wildlife hotel. It isn’t just about curiosity, knowing what can lurk in your pile may be an essential safety and cleanliness issue and a way to keep unwelcome surprises out of your home.

Spiders

Spiders love to reside on woodpiles. Black widow and brown recluse spiders, for example, have a penchant for undisturbed spider webs in dry, dark spaces. Most spiders are harmless, but these two can deliver venomous bites so it’s best to wear gloves when handling firewood. Black widows are not aggressive; they will bite if provoked, especially if their web is disturbed.

Mice

Mice often sneak into your woodpile to stay warm, and take a quick snack of seeds or insects in the bark. If they discover your woodpile near your home, they may also decide to go indoors and create a whole new set of problems. Rural woodpiles, for example, can house deer mice, which according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can carry hantavirus.

Snakes

If your woodpile is cozy for mice, snakes may be following. If you have woodpiles in your yard, you may have nonvenomous snakes slithering in for prey. Venomous snakes like copperhead and rattlesnakes may also live in them, especially in the south. When moving logs, be careful and look for signs of movement so you don’t have an unwanted encounter.

Centipedes

The damp, dark crevices between logs are a centipedes paradise. While not harmful to people, their many legged appearance is sure to give you the heebie-jeebies. Also, centipedes are great at keeping other pests, like cockroaches, under control, so they’re actually more of a friend in your woodpile ecosystem.

Raccoons

Creatures You Are Legally Forbidden To Remove From Your Home And Garden — Image Credit: Pixabay

If your woodpile is near a food source, or trash bins, raccoons may make the woodpile a temporary den. Spotted one near your home? Good reason to call animal control as these clever critters can carry diseases like rabies according to the NIH. Raccoons have adapted very well to suburban environments, so you can expect to see them in your backyard, frequently.

Termites

Your woodpile is an all you can eat buffet to termites. The logs are particularly vulnerable if they are in contact with the ground. If termites find your woodpile to be a nice home, they may also start moving into the wood structures in your home, and that can prove to be very costly. Termites cost U.S. property owners over $5 billion in damage annually, according to PestWorld.

Beetles

Woodpiles are commonly associated with Carpenter and bark beetles. Although they won’t bite humans, they will bore into your logs and weaken them. If you see small holes or sawdust like debris, these beetles just might have taken up residence.

Lizards

Woodpiles are a favorite lizard hang out in warmer regions, they bask on top during the day and hide among the crevices at night. They’re harmless and even helpful because they eat insects. If you disturb their hiding spot, though, just be prepared for a little scuttling.

Possums

Possums may have beady eyes and sharp teeth, but they’re harmless. They may use your woodpile as a temporary shelter, especially in cooler weather. Fun fact: Most snake venom can’t harm possums, and possums can help keep ticks down around your house.

Scorpions

Deadliest Creatures in North America That Could Kill You! — Image Credits: Per-Anders Olsson via Wikimedia Commons

Scorpions are a hazard to watch out for in wood piles in desert areas. They like dark, tight spaces and stacked logs are a perfect hangout. While most scorpions in the U.S. aren’t lethal, their sting can be painful. If scorpions are a worry in your area, always shake out gloves or boots before putting them on.

Frogs

Obvious Facts That A Lot Of People Don't Know — Photo Credit: William Warby/Pexels

If you have a woodpile that is near a water source, frogs and toads might just settle in there. They’re harmless and nice for bug control but they can do a startle if you aren’t expecting them as their movement is sudden.

Ants

Common woodpile visitors are ants, especially carpenter ants. Most ants are just a nuisance, but carpenter ants hollow wood out for nesting, and can damage your wood. If you see sawdust like material, you might have an ant colony setting up shop.

Weasels

You’ll rarely see weasels on woodpiles, but they might show up in rural areas. They’re curious, energetic and might look cute, but these animals are fierce predators that feed on small rodents and birds. If you spot a weasel, it may be that your woodpile is part of a larger food chain.

Bats

If your woodpile is high off the ground and near other structures, they could be used by bats as a roost. Bats are excellent mosquito control, but their waste can become a mess and harbor dangerous fungi. If you think that bats are in your woodpile, try moving the logs to a more open area.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.