Are Termites Attracted to a Certain Type of Wood?

Do termites have a palate? People have their favorite foods, and so do our pets. But does that hold true for termites? Is there a specific type of wood that termites consider a delicacy? Termites are a very particular pest, and you can learn more about them here. Let’s first look at the types of wood that termites prefer, and then we’ll look at what they don’t.

What Kind of Wood Do Termites Like Best?

Termites will eat most types of wood, and nearly any wood can catch their interest. They’ll waste no time digging in once they find a good food source. However, termites do have preferences—wood with high moisture content or signs of decay usually tops their list for a feast.

Agricultural Research Service entomologists Mary L. Cornelius and Weste L. Osbrink have been researching the termite diet as part of their research to develop termite-resistant structures. According to their study, termites found southern yellow pine and spruce to be the most palatable and teak to be the least palatable. Spruce is a softwood, along with pine, pine, yew, cedar, and other evergreen or coniferous trees. Teak is a hardwood from deciduous trees – specifically a tropical hardwood. Softwoods are typically used as a building material, while hardwoods (like teak, maple, oak, walnut, etc.) are used for high-quality cabinetry and furniture.

What Wood Deters Termites?

Surprisingly, there are a few kinds of woods that can actually kill termites.

In Dr. Cornelius’s research, when termites were limited to a single type of wood for six weeks, six varieties showed different levels of natural resistance, resulting in up to 75% termite mortality rates. Those six wood types were redwood, Brazilian jatoba, Peruvian walnut, Honduran mahogany, Alaska yellow cedar, and teak.

But what is that would cause termites to die from these trees? It’s most likely due to their natural chemical compositions and properties that make them less appealing or even toxic to these pests. Here are a few reasons why:

• Fungal Resistance: Some of these woods naturally resist fungi and decay, which can also attract termites. By avoiding already decaying wood, termites are less likely to find a food source in these types.
• Natural Toxic Compounds: Some types of wood contain natural chemicals, like phenols and tannins, which can be toxic to termites. These compounds deter termites from eating the wood or can kill them if they do consume it.
• Density and Hardness: Harder, denser woods are tougher for termites to chew through. The physical structure of these woods makes it more difficult for termites to break them down, which can limit their feeding and ultimately lead to starvation.
• Moisture Content: Many of these resistant woods have low moisture content, making them less appealing to termites that prefer damp environments. Termites are attracted to decaying or high-moisture wood, so dry woods are less likely to be infested.

Is Plywood Treated for Termites?

Pressure-treated wood and plywood resist moisture, which may provide a slight edge over regular lumber in terms of attracting termites. However, that moisture resistance may only last as little as a year, or even less, which means pressure-treated plywood and lumber are unreliable deterrents to termites. 

Do Termites Eat Cement?

Termites cannot eat concrete, but all concrete eventually cracks. A termite only needs a crack about the thickness of a business card to gain entry to your home and any delicious woods contained within.

What Materials Are Termite Proof?

As you would imagine, termite-proof building materials are mostly those that are not wood… such as:

• Masonry
• Concrete
• Fiber-reinforced cement
• Metal, with steel and aluminum being the most common. 
• Pressure-treated termite-resistant timbers.

However, using any of these termite-resistant materials does not guarantee immunity because – as we noted – termites can still use a crack to get into your house to find any wood beams or similar items. Regular inspections and maintenance programs are essential. There are also a number of actions the homeowner can take to deter termites. 

Fox Pest Control, The Termite Terminators!

Are you worried that termites have taken up residence in your home? Want to avoid potential termite damage? Thankfully, we have what termites crave the most, and it’s in our Sentricon bait system! Once they get a taste of it, the whole colony goes down. Learn more about our Termite Defense Plan today!

 
Call Fox Pest Control for a free, zero-obligation estimate. We will be at your home promptly to provide the services you need! To get started, contact us today!