A great many termite species don t eat wood but eat grass instead. Redwood is naturally resistant to termites and decay and often is used in outdoor projects.
What Do Termites Eat Pestseek
Wood that termites will not eat.
Do termites eat anything other than wood. Yes termites can and will chew through the drywall. The cellulose in the wood is where they get the nutrition they need to survive. Learn more about these decomposers.
Interestingly these termites are not picky food eaters and usually eat decayed wood fallen trees and stumps. They will also eat just about anything else that is derived from a dead plant or a tree. Even wood that has been treated during industrial processing still contains cellulose which is obviously why termites have such a well known reputation for consuming wood that is used to construct homes.
A few woods are naturally resistant to termites including cedar and redwood. Cellulose is the hard inner material located within large trees and plants. Homeowners may reduce the chances of termite infestations by using pressure treated naturally resistant or.
Drywall isn t wood but it still contains the cellulose termites are looking for. It is a great misconception that lumber of redwood or mahagony acacia cypress eucalyptus pine teakwood and cedar are not on the termite s diet. Subterranean termites which pose the biggest termite related problem in surprise az prefer softwoods but will eat almost any type of wood or tree if necessary.
Termites have been munching away on wood for millions of years. Termites eat wood almost any kind of wood. If there is a great choice the wood pests will feed on sapwood and even termite proof hardwood only after all the others.
Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. For this reason most termite infestations start with wood that touches or is located close to the soil. In south america and africa it has been estimated the termites eat more grass than all the larger animals do.
Redwood mahogany is a natural type of termite resistance wood. The western subterranean termites have a queen termite that serves the purpose of a reproductive engine in the colony and has the potential to produce even more than 2000 eggs per day. From the african termites that build mounds taller than men to the subterranean species that destroy homes these social insects are fascinating creatures to study.
Of course termites consume wood but more specifically termites consume an organic material called cellulose. They re only interested in the outer layer. What wood will termites not eat.
Meanwhile the higher termites consume a wide variety of materials including faeces humus grass leaves and roots. As wood is difficult to digest termites prefer to consume fungus infected wood because it is easier to digest and the fungi are high in protein. Unlike wood though termites won t eat the whole thing.
This is because the main body of drywall is made of plaster which termites don t like. They will eat wall paper drywall christmas decorations magazines photographs furniture the list goes on and on. Home invading termites prefer soft rotting or fungus infested wood with high moisture content.
Why Do Termites Eat Wood Terminix
What Do Termites Eat