Question
I have cut some oak wood for my girlfriends fire place. We have left it out to season. It now sounds like the wood it being eaten by bugs. It sounds like the wood it cracking almost like water. We live in florida and are worried that the bugs could damage the house also. Any sugggestions as to what could be going on?

Answer
Thee are several insect that will bore into the wood. Usually you will see their sawdust. Also as the wood dries it will crack. Wood should be stacked away from the house until it is needed and then only move the amount you will use near for ease of making a fire. Never pile firewood directly on the ground and never stack firewood too near your house. Both are invitations for hungry termites that can find their way into your house. You might move some insects in the house when the wood is brought in but most of these will be in the wood and will be killed in the fire. Move just what you will use in the house and this will keep insects from emerging from the wood. All these type insects will need unfinished wood to be able to bore into it. Usually this is not a problem in the house. The main problem would be the presence of the insect flying around bothering folks not any damage to the house. Except termites from wood stacked on the ground beside the house--this could lead to termite problems in the house. Stack the wood away for the house and there will be no problem.