Do Termites Eat Stained Wood?
WouterTermites eat wood and they love cellulose. They have bacterial protozoa in their stomachs that break down cellulose into sugar. They use excess breakdown products as nutrients.
Termites will always feast on decaying wood. They can’t survive in temperatures over 50degC. They also won’t eat paint. However, they will eat anything that is cellulose rich.
The simplest way to get rid of termites is to remove any old wood that is in contact with the ground. You should also be cautious of wet wood. Wet wood allows moisture to enter and expand the fibres. This can lead to rot and blistering.
Another way to get rid of termites is to apply multiple coats of varnish. This will add to the protection of the wood and prevent termites from eating it.
If you suspect you have termites, you can catch them by placing a cardboard trap near the area. The trap can be made by wetting the corrugated boxes.
Another way to detect an infestation is to find the “mud tubes”. These are protected runways for termites that connect the ground to the wood. The mud tubes may also serve as swarming exits for winged termites.
To prevent the buildup of moisture, keep the ground around the house at least 18 inches away from wood. In addition, you should clean up any discarded wood that is stored near your home. Termites love to feed on wood that is wet.
You can also make sure the roof is covered with a chemical compound to help prevent termites. This can block them from finding cellulose in plywood.
