Bringing in firewood infested with carpenter ants and termites usually will not result in infestations starting in the house. Both are social insects and the colony becomes so disturbed when the wood is moved, dried, cut or split that establishment indoors is very unlikely. Structural or interior wood should not become infested. However, wood stored in damp, moist basements or stacked on the ground outside against the house for several seasons should be avoided. Adults resemble bumble bees, and bore round holes into outside wooden furniture, railings, fence posts, dead tree limbs and other weathered wood.
Chances are slim of infesting structural or interior wood.
Other pests not as dependent on high moisture that may also use firewood as shelter include cockroaches, crickets, earwigs, flies and ground beetles. Sometimes yellowjacket wasps, paper wasps and bumble bees build nests in firewood piles presenting danger to those moving or stacking firewood. Their queens may overwinter under firewood bark and emerge early to fly within the house when wood is stored indoors under warm conditions. Adults, also known as the Pigeon Tremex, sometimes emerge in the home causing excitement. Adults have a horny, spear-like long tail.