Carpenter Worms.

[Pa Pa Jack]

Towards the end of the summer in 2011, I noticed a red oak on my property dropping it's leaves. It was dying. This is a huge tree. Maybe 60 feet tall and about 30 inches in diameter at chest height. I finally dropped the tree in January and limbed it but never got to cut it up.

Well, I spent this weekend cutting it into rounds and began splitting it. I noticed huge holes in the heartwood. Then I noticed a grub about 3 inches long. I found a lot of them. I searched Google and came up with the Carpenter Worm. Some of them were over 3 inches long.

View attachment 271533

It seems that there is very little I can do to protect my other oaks, but is the wood still good to burn? Will the worms continue to eat away at it while it dries? Anyone know anything else about this worm ?

 

[Tiewire]

It will burn fine. As far as I know the worms burn good also. The red oak I split last had them also.

 

[kugss]

It will burn fine. As far as I know the worms burn good also. The red oak I split last had them also.

Whats the btu rating of the worms?

 

[Foxfire]

A lot if not all the red oak I split has them. I get a few big grubs, a few little skinny guys, and a few that have flat wide heads. They may all be the same Worm/grub but in different ages/stages. I just chuck them aside or leave them be figuring they'll freeze soon enough.

 

[tld400]

I just split some wood the other day and found one.but I think most bugs are hibernating in the winter. I no for sure the big black ants do.

 

[tld400]

A lot if not all the red oak I split has them. I get a few big grubs, a few little skinny guys, and a few that have flat wide heads. They may all be the same Worm/grub but in different ages/stages. I just chuck them aside or leave them be figuring they'll freeze soon enough.

Toss them aside for a snack later. Good protein:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Foxfire]

I think about it sometimes. Those guys on tv do it. I'm just never quite hungry enough to do it.

 

[Tiewire]

Whats the btu rating of the worms?

Extremly high that's why I only burn them with wood, never alone.

 

[deerlakejens]

red oak borer, Enaphalodes rufulus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)
red oak borer, Enaphalodes rufulus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

 

[ReggieT]

If ya get a bunch of them...use for fish bait alive or frozen...bream & catfish and most fish can't resist them!:msp_thumbup:

 

[mizzou]

If ya get a bunch of them...use for fish bait alive or frozen...bream & catfish and most fish can't resist them!:msp_thumbup:

Have you actually used them for fish bait?

 

[oppermancjo]

Grubs & worms in wood usually make for a nice popping fire. If you have an open fire place, make sure you have a good grate in front of it... I had some Maple last year that had a bunch of wasp larvae in it. Don't recall the particular wasp but they are the big ones with super long tails. Nasty looking but I don't think they mess with people too much... Anywho, that stuff popped like crazy! Burned good though.

 

[Sagetown]

I cut some trees last year that were infested with these carpenter worms. Never seen the like before.

 

[FLHX Storm]

Toss them aside for a snack later. Good protein:hmm3grin2orange:

Deep fry em and use with your favorite dipping sauce! :msp_razz:

 

[allstihl]

View attachment 271609

 

[ReggieT]

Have you actually used them for fish bait?

From a child on up...excellent under a bobber fished about 6-8 inch's off the bottom or fished tight line...deadly on Smallmouth when tossed up against a Rip-Rap on a 1/4 or 1/2 ounce jig head or around big boulders...try em next to any type cover with a # 8 long shank Tru-Turn hook....and hang on!:msp_thumbup:

 

[zogger]

[QUOTE=Sagetown I cut some trees last year that were infested with these carpenter worms. Never seen the like before.

Ive ffound some look like that in dead poplar, big ones, land shrimp size, ha! and yep, take em to the pond, bass and bluegills will nail them hard.

 

[TreeGuyHR]

Couple I found in Oregon white oak. Solves one mystery -- what cause those huge tunnels in the trunk?

View attachment 272432View attachment 272433

 

[Cedar Ed]

Those little worms can do some damage in trees.

 

[stihly dan]

The ants and worms, When done splitting, put a couple chickens by the pile. Bugs be gone, the protien goes straight in the egg, then yo belly.