6.2. OTHER MAINTENANCE.-
6.2.1. Woodpecker damage. - Wood-
pecker damage is another problem requiring
attention in some localities. Many ideas
have been tried to outwit these birds, but
nothing has been entirely successful. Two
points are worth keeping in mind:
pecker damage is another problem requiring
attention in some localities. Many ideas
have been tried to outwit these birds, but
nothing has been entirely successful. Two
points are worth keeping in mind:
(1) There has been a tendency to exag-
gerate the damage done by woodpeck-
ers. The ordinary breaking point is near
the ground. Above the midsection, where
most woodpecker attacks occur, tests
have shown that 25 percent of the wood
can be removed without serious loss of
strength. With consideration to wind
loading, woodpecker holes are less
damaging on either face than on the side
of the pole.
gerate the damage done by woodpeck-
ers. The ordinary breaking point is near
the ground. Above the midsection, where
most woodpecker attacks occur, tests
have shown that 25 percent of the wood
can be removed without serious loss of
strength. With consideration to wind
loading, woodpecker holes are less
damaging on either face than on the side
of the pole.
(2) Woodpecker holes often expose un-
treated wood to moisture and the spores
of fungi, with resulting decay that weak-
ens the pole far more than the holes
themselves.
treated wood to moisture and the spores
of fungi, with resulting decay that weak-
ens the pole far more than the holes
themselves.
It appears that a woodpecker selects a pole
only by chance, and that the first hole
invites further attack by other woodpeckers.
Appendix C contains a method of repairing
woodpecker damage to wood poles.
only by chance, and that the first hole
invites further attack by other woodpeckers.
Appendix C contains a method of repairing
woodpecker damage to wood poles.
6.2.2. Termite and ant damage. -
Termite and ant damage can be a
problem in many areas. Ground-dwelling
termites can be controlled by the same
measures taken to prevent decay-good
preservative treatment. Black and brown
carpenter ants can be a serious problem,
especially in cedar or injury and
construct galleries that seriously weaken
the pole near the groundline. Unlike
termites, they do not feed upon the
wood. They may be effectively destroyed
by injecting about I pint of creosote into
the inter-connected galleries. An
ordinary grease gun, fitted with a suit-
Termite and ant damage can be a
problem in many areas. Ground-dwelling
termites can be controlled by the same
measures taken to prevent decay-good
preservative treatment. Black and brown
carpenter ants can be a serious problem,
especially in cedar or injury and
construct galleries that seriously weaken
the pole near the groundline. Unlike
termites, they do not feed upon the
wood. They may be effectively destroyed
by injecting about I pint of creosote into
the inter-connected galleries. An
ordinary grease gun, fitted with a suit-
able nozzle, can be used to inject the creosote
into two or three holes bored to connect with the
galleries. Occasionally, ground-dwelling termites
are found in poles otherwise sound, and they
may be destroyed in the same manner.
into two or three holes bored to connect with the
galleries. Occasionally, ground-dwelling termites
are found in poles otherwise sound, and they
may be destroyed in the same manner.
6.2.3. Fire damage. - Fire damage can
make poles useless. Extreme care should
be used in burning rubbish or brush along
rights-of-way where treated poles are spot-
ted. After poles are set in the ground, the
immediate area should be cleared of weeds.
Freshly treated poles can often be easily
ignited; after a few months in service,
treated poles become more fire resistant.
Where hot grass fires occur annually, and
particularly if butt-treated poles are used in
such areas, the grass around poles should
be eliminated in the spring with commercial
weedkillers. Fire-retardant coatings are
available for application to poles. Aluminum
sheets tacked around pole bases have also
proved effective, and are particularly suit-
able on farmed land. When a chemical
weedkiller is to be used, a soil-sterilant,
water-soluble type that will keep weeds
down for a 3-year period is recommended.
(See FIST Volume 4 - 8, Herbicides
Available for Treating Soil for Total Vegeta-
tion Control.)
make poles useless. Extreme care should
be used in burning rubbish or brush along
rights-of-way where treated poles are spot-
ted. After poles are set in the ground, the
immediate area should be cleared of weeds.
Freshly treated poles can often be easily
ignited; after a few months in service,
treated poles become more fire resistant.
Where hot grass fires occur annually, and
particularly if butt-treated poles are used in
such areas, the grass around poles should
be eliminated in the spring with commercial
weedkillers. Fire-retardant coatings are
available for application to poles. Aluminum
sheets tacked around pole bases have also
proved effective, and are particularly suit-
able on farmed land. When a chemical
weedkiller is to be used, a soil-sterilant,
water-soluble type that will keep weeds
down for a 3-year period is recommended.
(See FIST Volume 4 - 8, Herbicides
Available for Treating Soil for Total Vegeta-
tion Control.)
VII. REPORTING
7.1. FORMS. Various forms have been
developed for recordkeeping concerning pole
inspection and maintenance. Some utilities
maintain a record for each pole on a form
that provides spaces for keeping track of
inspections and their results. A sample ADP
form developed by BPA (Bonneville Power
Administration) is displayed in
developed for recordkeeping concerning pole
inspection and maintenance. Some utilities
maintain a record for each pole on a form
that provides spaces for keeping track of
inspections and their results. A sample ADP
form developed by BPA (Bonneville Power
Administration) is displayed in
instructions in
could be acquired from BPA or a similar form
could be developed if a computerized record
of wood pole inspection and maintenance is
desired.
could be developed if a computerized record
of wood pole inspection and maintenance is
desired.
15 (FIST 4 - 6)