Do Termites Eat Redwood?
WouterRedwood is a dense, tough, and strong wood. It also possesses insulating properties. This makes it a good choice for building. However, it does not repel termites in a literal sense.
Rather, the natural chemical compounds in the tree make it more resistant to decay and insects. These chemicals include extractives, which are antiseptic and give the heartwood of the tree greater resistance to parasites.
Its heartwood is also dense enough to prevent termites from chewing it. As a result, it is considered one of the best-resistant woods to rot.
When choosing redwood for your home, keep in mind that its heartwood is the most dense part of the tree. This is where the most resistant compounds are concentrated.
If you live in an area where termites are common, you may want to install an anti-termite treatment. There are several different types of treatments available, ranging from indoor to outdoor. For outdoor applications, you can spray borate.
Termites prefer dead trees. Their digestive system contains Bacterial Protozoa, which produce an enzyme that helps break down cellulose in the wood. In turn, the protozoa pass the digested food to the nest workers, who then cultivate it into a fungus.
If you want to avoid termite damage, it’s recommended to use pressure-treated wood. The US Department of Agriculture conducted a study that concluded that pine wood is the most preferred wood by termites.
Another termite-resistant wood to consider is plywood. The main difference between plywood and pressure-treated wood is that the former lacks cellulose. This means that the preservatives in the wood are forced into the pores of the wood, creating a chemical barrier that protects the wood against termites.
