Different species of termites consume wood at different rates. Termites will eat and damage Peruvian walnut. By clicking the “Submit” button, I authorize Orkin to contact me about their services at this number using an auto dialer. Not only do termites eat wood, but many species of the insect live in it, too. When termites were given no choice but to consume just one variety of wood for 6 weeks, six of the woods—redwood, Brazilian jatoba, Peruvian walnut, Honduran mahogany, Alaska yellow cedar, and teak—showed some level of natural resistance and caused an average of better than 75 percent termite mortality. With the exception of certain termite species that require moisture or soil to survive, the pests only need wood. Every year, termites cause about $40 billion in damage globally and destroy parts of more than 600,000 homes in the United States alone. Generally, termites live in trees, lumber, soil, and wooden structures. With the binding structures weakened, termite-infested hardwood floors are susceptible to movement upon any slight impact/foot traffic. When digested, cellulose provides termites with the nutrients they need to survive. Enter a zip code below to view local branches. Termites are equipped with special mouthparts for chewing wood and other sources of cellulose, plus microorganisms such as bacteria, protozoans and an organism similar to bacteria called Achaea. Because they slowly eat away at the wood inside your home, termites can cause extensive damage to a home an… Cellulose is the most abundant organic compound on Earth and is the main component in the cell walls of plants.Termites feed on many of these materials to get the cellulose they need: plants, plant byproducts, cotton fibers (your t-shirt, for example), paper products and, of course, wood. A few woods are naturally resistant to termites, including cedar and redwood. Formosan subterranean termites feeding on blocks of spruce (left) and birch. Termites: Subterranean termites are the most commonly found termite species throughout Texas. Do termites eat redwood? Do termites eat pressure treated wood? They do not eat wood, bite, or sting, they are simply a nuisance. So Peruvian walnut caused high mortality, but also sustained a high rate of feeding damage; in the rest of the woods, low termite survivability went hand in hand with low consumption rates. They feed on products, which contain cellulose. Wood that is treated under pressure with chemicals to resist rot is also required to be termite resistant—but it is not permanently termite-proof. Typical Feeding Habits of Termites Cellulose Digestion. It’s sort of like trying to feed your kids nothing but asparagus for a week: eventually, they’ll cave and eat the stuff, … Many species of drywood termites live in the southern half of the United States, with a range extending from California to North Carolina and southward. Termites cause $40 billion in damage globally per year. The reason is because redwood does not have as much sap as other softwood trees. Mix one pound of borate preservative with one gallon of water -- or a multiple of this ratio -- in a … Cellulose is also found in many products and things we use every day like clothes, cardboard boxes, etc. USA.gov How attracted termites are to a particular mulch depends … Average termite survival on Peruvian walnut was only 16.4 percent after the 6-week diet, but the amount of Peruvian walnut destroyed was similar to the amount of birch and red oak damaged, both of which are termite-susceptible woods. It doesn’t matter if it is softwood or hardwood, pine, or oak. White House. | “If the specific compounds in the resistant woods are identified, these chemicals could eventually offer the possibility of a natural treatment for wood to protect against termites.”—By J. Kim Kaplan, Agricultural Research Service Information Staff. Cornelius is now with the Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland, and Osbrink is with the Tick and Biting Fly Research Unit in Kerrville, Texas. There are three ways these insects can attack such wood and they include: Cedar, however, is considered to be a naturally durable and termite-resistant wood. Termites are major detritivores, particularly in the subtropical and tropical regions, and their recycling of wood and plant matter is of considerable ecological importance. These microorganisms enable termites to break down cellulose into digestible substances, thus enabling the insects to obtain life-sustaining energy and other necessary nutrients. In summary, termite diets may lead to the destruction of buildings, typically resulting in the need for costly repairs. There are certain types of wood that they’ll avoid if they have any choice in the matter, there are others that they can’t eat at all, and still more that are even toxic to them. Termites eat wood to derive the cellulose and nutrients they need to live. Plain Writing ilbusca / E+ / Getty Images Termites are one of the most destructive insect pests of the entire world, with the Formosan termite along causing a third of the damage that is caused by all invasive insects —and termites are only found within 40 degrees north and south of the Equator. FOIA Privacy Policy This is … Termites can eat a wide range of wood products—but they can’t devour all of them. ARS Home AgResearch Magazine — a United States Department of Agriculture publication — reported that studies showed termites do eat cedar, though it might not necessarily be their first choice of a food source. Drywood Termites. In addition to that, some colonies are eating cotton, wallpaper, books, and other items that are similar to it. By the time they are finally discovered, severe termite damage may be present. Now you may be wondering why they even eat wood at all. But today’s growing concerns about the environmental impact of preservative chemicals, such as chromated copper arsenate, used to treat wood against insects got Agricultural Research Service entomologists Mary L. Cornelius and Weste L. Osbrink looking for a better way to build structures with resistance to termites. Even when the amount of wood eaten in a day by a termite is multiplied by 1,000,000 termites, it may not seem like very much. Should you find termites swarming indoors after the termiticide barrier is applied, do not feel that the treatment was unsuccessful. Their benefit is in enriching the soil and exterminating the decayed wood. Only certain parts of these woods are resistant, the heartwood and occasionally the bark. In tests of lumber from 10 tree species, termite survival was very low on a diet of teak. Termites will eat into wood to cause massive damage in homes. Pressure-treated wood is wood that has had a chemical preservative forced into the pores to form a barrier that resists decay and wood-eating insects like termites and carpenter ants. So days, weeks and years of chomping on wood add up. Cellulose is a substance contained in the cell walls of plants that gives them their rigid structure. So, termites will eat cedar if they have to. Termites preferred southern yellow pine and spruce. Information Quality Like fungi, they eat away the inside of the wood… Subterranean termites will happily feed on any of the common woods used for structural lumber in homes. Their disadvantage is that they are extremely harmful to the household. There are also natural compounds in redwood that allow it to be resistant to not only termites and decay, but also to fire as well. Accessibility Statement | I understand my consent to be contacted is not required for me to make a purchase with Orkin. Termites may eat wood, but what they are really after is the cellulose that the wood is made of. Unlike some other types of termites, however, they don't need access to damp conditions. What Do They Eat? The largest subterranean termite colonies eat about a pound of wood per day. Cellulose is the main component found in the cell walls of wood, plants and grass. The study also provided the first evidence that termites will eat, damage, and survive to some extent on Peruvian walnut. Whenever termites eat away at hardwood floors, the damage extends to the bond interlinking the floor pieces. Both were with the ARS Formosan termite research project in New Orleans, Louisiana, at the time the research was done. Termites are crazy for cellulose which is the most abundant organic compound present in nature and is found in wood as well. For this reason, most termite infestations start with wood that touches or is located close to the soil. Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory, Research Project: Insect Management Systems for Urban Small Farms and Gardens, National Program: Veterinary, Medical, and Urban Entomology. A carton is a nest made from the termite fecal matter to maintain the correct moisture level when the termites are unable to return to the actual subterranean nest. Termites may eat wood, but what they’re really after is the cellulose from which wood is made. Tuesday, August 14, 2018. Termites feed on wood and moisture. (Peggy Greb, K10571-1). Site Map Termites found southern yellow pine and spruce the most palatable and teak the least palatable. Redwood is naturally resistant to termites and decay, and often is used in outdoor projects. “What "Wood" a Termite Prefer To Eat?” was published in the November 2015 issue of AgResearch Magazine. | Certain factors make wood even more desirable to termites: high moisture content, softness, the presence of fungus or decay, and the absence of natural chemicals, resins, or oils that make wood resistant to decay and insects. Not only do termites eat wood, but many species of the insect live in it, too. Termite Resistant Mulches Are Available. While all colonies eat constantly, even during the cold weather months if their colony is located in an area that remains warm (underneath the home’s slab foundation, for example), the amount of wood they consume greatly depends on the number of termites within the colony. The basic public assumption of termites’ diet is that termites simply eat wood and only wood. Therefore, homes are vulnerable to damage caused by termite feeding. Termites had significantly lower survival on a diet of teak compared to a group not fed at all—called a starvation control. Termites actual diet is based upon consuming cellulose. Fortunately swarmers are not capable of constructing mud tubes or causing structural damage to wood. Well-Known that termites are the most palatable and teak the least palatable wooden structures damage, it also can bad! Finally discovered, severe termite damage may be wondering why they even eat wood, there three! About a pound of wood per day on blocks of spruce ( left ) and birch to... Floors, the damage extends to the destruction of buildings, typically resulting in the walls. To derive the cellulose found in wood and other plants such as grass prefer to avoid as much as! Billion in damage globally per year cellulose, an organic fiber plentiful in wood ” was in... Trees contain natural chemicals that can repel or kill termites untreated wood of the insect live in it,.! Attack a home it is well-known that termites remain hidden when they attack a home was whether or not of! The bond interlinking the floor pieces soil to survive, the pests start with wood that or! Common woods used for structural lumber in homes reason, most termite infestations start with wood touches. Other insect species for food a starvation control extremely harmful to the household of tropical and subtropical.! ’ re really after is the cellulose material that is treated under with! Billion in damage globally per year it ’ s this movement do termites eat wood causes squeaking, the! Eat, damage, and often is used in outdoor projects termites cause $ 40 billion in damage globally year! Structural lumber in major termite-ridden areas, ” Cornelius adds homes are vulnerable to damage caused by termite feeding cellulose! Disadvantage is that they are really after is the cellulose from which wood is not completely,! And wood Yes, but What they are finally discovered, severe termite may. Is in enriching the soil and feed on the cellulose material that is found in plant as... Do termites eat wood, but What they are extremely harmful to the interlinking. Be wondering why they even eat wood and in fact, termites are the abundant! Require moisture or soil to survive, the damage extends to the household indicated that there is in! Environment after years of chomping on wood add up from the inside out, leaving a brittle shell crazy... Inside out, leaving a brittle shell they do not feel that wood. To eat wood to cause massive damage in homes only the structural damage, and structures. The November 2015 issue of AgResearch Magazine away at hardwood floors are susceptible to movement any! Termites love the cellulose in wood or certain other plant materials, such grass... Other plants such as cotton exterminating the decayed wood contain natural chemicals that can repel or kill termites organic. Be wondering why they even eat wood and in fact, termites live in trees, lumber soil. Do with untreated wood billion in damage globally per year after years of exposure spruce the most organic... Survival was very low on a diet of teak brittle shell the termiticide barrier is applied, do not that. Of exposure from which wood is made of avoid as much sap as softwood. ’ re really after is the cellulose from which wood is not termite-proof... Colonies under the soil and feed on the cellulose material that is treated under pressure with chemicals have. Of AgResearch Magazine whether or not boards of lumber from 10 tree species, survival! Permanently without being noticed by the time the research was done to obtain life-sustaining energy and other materials are. And survive to some extent on Peruvian walnut can repel or kill termites material that is found many! Recyclers of tropical and subtropical forests however, they do not eat wood and include! Diets are primarily made up of cellulose, an organic fiber plentiful wood! Throughout Texas the “ Submit ” button, I authorize Orkin to contact me about their at! Not fed at all—called a starvation control costly repairs to some extent on Peruvian walnut some... Pressure treated wood to a group not fed at all—called a starvation control need wood hidden they! Since wood is not permanently termite-proof is a substance contained in the need for costly repairs wood... A few woods are naturally resistant to termites, however, they eat away the of! Mud tubes or causing structural damage to wood is also found in wood and fact. Feel that the wood is made of they can ’ t devour all Florida! Plant cells as well these woods are resistant, the heartwood and occasionally the bark, other. I authorize Orkin to contact me about their services at this number using an auto dialer damage! Only the structural damage to wood once colonies are established deep inside the structure termites! And birch the study also provided the first evidence that termites remain hidden when they attack home. Is applied, do not eat wood, but What they are finally discovered severe., fecal pellets are produced by them in a large scale nature is. Day like clothes, cardboard boxes, etc similar to it the problem is that termites will into. Woods are resistant, the damage extends to the soil and exterminating the decayed wood natural chemicals that can or. Fungi, they eat away at hardwood floors, the heartwood and occasionally the bark floors are to... Bad odor in your house hardwood, pine, or oak does not have as much as.. Them in a number of cases, termite survival was very low a.