5 June 2012


Temporarily set up the dehumidifier (one of yesterday’s purchases) in the lower level of the shed.  Moisture control in that space has been a concern for some time and I finally bit the bullet and have done something except fret about the problem.  As I was doing the aforementioned, noticed a substantial pile of sawdust on the concrete footer directly below one of the oak beams.  “Oh, crap”, says I (or words to that effect), “strongly suspect there is a carpenter ant infestation in that beam.”  Carpenter ants LOVE moist wood, which certainly describes conditions for much of the time since the beams were put up.  So called Vermont Pest Control (Marty’s recommendation), who promised to come armed to kill later this week.  Meanwhile, back in the upper level of the shed, the door building continued apace.  Got both doors for the north doorway all done (ha, ha!!!!) except for staining and hinges, then installed the aluminum threshold for that doorway, measured the vertical dimension of the final opening, and discovered I need to cut another ″ off each “completed” door.  A good job for tomorrow morning… and better to find this out now than after the doors are hung.