Can Termites Consume Cedar Wood?

What is the best wood to avoid termites?

Termites infest homes because they thrive in damp, decaying, or fungal-infested wood. Most termite infestations begin in wood that directly interacts with the soil. Using pressure-treated, composite, or naturally resistant wood can help homeowners lessen the likelihood of termite infestations.

Because of their natural resistance to insects, redwood and cedar are frequently used for exteriors. These wood species are ideal for use as ground covering. However, other choices, such as teak, are more resistant to termite infestations because of their high density and difficulty to eat through.

What types of wood do termites not eat?

Teak

With good reason, the exotic wood fetches a high premium. The wood of this quality is noted for its longevity and resistance to the elements. According to research on termites and their preferred timbers, termites fared worse when given teak than when given no wood. So, teak does more than only repel termites; it actively eliminates their population. Once it comes to preventing termite damage to timber structures, that’s as good as it gets.

Heartwood

If the softwood around the tree’s perimeter is used instead of the heartwood, hardwoods like cypress and cedar are vulnerable to termite attack. It is because termites have a considerably more difficult time penetrating the thickest part of the tree—the heartwood.

If you want to protect your wood against termites, you can buy heartwood-grade lumber for your projects, but know that you will have to pay more. Heartwood from cypress and cedar trees, in particular, is a fantastic option for avoiding termites due to their solid and distinctive odors that drive the pests away.

Alaskan Yellow Cedar

This pale-yellow wood is resistant to termites and rots and decay. When it comes to quality, you pay for it. Although this lumber is usually more expensive than other types of wood, the potential savings may make it worthwhile in the long run.

Honduran Mahogany

It is a lovely wood resistant to termites and has a distinctive red-brownish to-pink color. If the tree grows to full maturity rather than being cultivated on a plantation, the timber is also reasonably durable.

Peruvian Walnut

This stunning wood, which may range from a deep purple to a rich chocolate brown, is known for yielding incredible results. The wood is resistant to termites and has a reasonable lifespan.

Redwood

One of the best chances for a cheap and readily available option is redwood, which is grown and harvested locally. It is well-known that the wood is resistant to termites and has a moderate to high durability rating.

Regarding protecting against termites, teak is, without a doubt, your best bet. But any of these alternatives are better than the woods that termites favor. Research indicates that southern yellow pine and spruce are the most desirable woods for termites.

The variety of hues and textures available in these woods should make it simple to locate one that suits your taste. The complete spectrum of colors, from light blonde to rich chocolate brown, is found naturally in these woods.

Do termites eat plywood?

Plywood, however, ranks highest on their list of secondary preferences. Plywood can be infested by termites so long as it is not treated with pressure. Termite-resistant plywood is the apparent choice when constructing new furniture out of plywood.

Termites can tear through any building material, including plywood, so it should come as no surprise that they will devour plywood. They can completely ruin any plywood items or surfaces in your home. All plywood parts, including the glue, are delicious to termites, so expect them to tunnel into it. They will gladly consume the softwood since it is a delicacy to them.

As a result, it’s essential to take preventative measures if there has been a history of termite infestation in the property or the surrounding area. Plywood, made from natural wood, is a construction material with exceptional strength and longevity. Plies are the individual layers of wood veneer bonded together to form a plywood panel. On the other hand, hardwood plywood is created from birch, oak, and maple trees rather than the more common softwoods like pine and spruce.

Conversely, marine-grade plywood is a high-quality, extremely robust hardwood material built with synthetic waterproof polymers. As a result, it is impervious to water, dampness, termites, and other borers, all of which may wreak havoc on conventional wood.

Treated and painted plywood

Untreated hardwood plywood is just as susceptible to termite damage as softwood. Plywood is typically treated to reduce its susceptibility to termite infestation. Both acrylic-latex and Epoxy paints have excellent durability and are resistant to termites, making them ideal for use on plywood panels. You can avoid these pests using covered floors, walls, or furniture.

Plywood panels can also be treated with a unique chemical process. Chemical treatments make the plywood impervious to water, fire, and pests. Plywood of the Boiling Water Resistant (BWR) grade, for example, is impervious to termites because it has been chemically treated to discourage their presence.

Thus, it makes sense to go with plywood resistant to termites whenever possible when constructing a new home or piece of furniture. There are a variety of plywood manufacturers and brands available today; however, just top-quality plywood can truly protect you against termites, unlike the plywood made by any local producer who fails to apply a termite-resistant coating properly.

You can make termite-resistant plywood without the help of a professional by treating it with chemicals. Wait to apply the laminate or veneer until the plywood has dried for at least six hours.

Though this treatment does a fantastic job of protecting against termites, the plywood will only remain protected as long as the anti-termite chemicals are effective. Your plywood will be at risk of termites again as fast as the chemicals dissipate.

Intensely Moist Plywood

Termites need moisture to thrive; therefore, they won’t bother you if the plywood is dry. These insects thrive in damp places since that’s where they can get the water they need. They also consume wood that has come into contact with the ground or is buried, presumably because it is damp.

It’s safe to presume that any plywood in the house kept consistently moist is a potential termite magnet. The space under a plant pot or any other object that makes contact with the deck’s wood panels fits this description. In addition, sprinklers, leaking gutters, and roofs that pour straight onto the deck are additional potential sources of wet plywood. If you have a plywood deck or patio and you water your plants regularly in the same spot, and it doesn’t dry up, or if you keep wetting them down using water, termites may invade your home.

Do all types of termites eat wood?

All termites, without exception, consume wood in their hunt for cellulose, the most abundant organic substance in trees. There are many different kinds of termites, but they all need wood to survive. Because of their varied diets, termites can cause problems whether you have a subrenean, a damp wood, or a Drywood termite infestation.

Termite swarmers can devour and digest hardwood flooring just like they can structural timbers, woodpiles, tree stumps, and even furniture, so you might be wondering if there’s any form of wood that’s immune to termite infestations. You may be concerned about the potential property damage caused by termite infestations in your home and whether or not these household pests consider all timber constructions to be the same.

When it comes to termites, several tree varieties are completely waterproof. Of course, this only applies so long as the trees are alive. Hardwood converts into softwood, preferred by termites, when a tree dies and decays. Yet, certain tree stumps and varieties are more likely to attract termite colonies than others, making pest control more of a challenge.

Take away

Termites are interesting insects because of the wide range of materials they consume. They frequently use wood as their main food source. Nevertheless, they aren’t limited to just wood; they may also consume paper, rotting plants, and textiles.

Despite their unfavorable reputation, termites play a crucial role in the natural world thanks to their capacity to efficiently consume decaying wood. Since you better understand their diet, you may now view this important insect with curiosity rather than hostility. You should contact 1-888-838-3764. The company has been in business for over 33 years overall, and the current name, Gentry & Associates Termite Control, has been in use for the past 8.5. Brett Gentry started the company that would become a go-to for anyone needing termite control or wood restoration services.

In California, the staff has earned a Branch 3 Operator’s License, demonstrating their expertise in targeted treatments and tent fumigation for termites. Count on them to keep pests out of your house and your stuff safe.