Where Does Termites Eat?
WouterTermites are small, soft-bodied insects that live in colonies. They have a highly developed caste system. These social insects communicate by vibrations, calling behaviors, and chemical signals. They can be detected by specialist equipment.
Termites eat wood, plants, and fungi. They are attracted to cellulose. This is a polysaccharide found in wood, humus, cotton fibers, paper products, and manure of herbivores. They can also eat wood that is decaying.
Termites have special asymmetrical mandibles that allow them to tear into food. They have a gut filled with protozoa that break down cellulose into sugars. The termite gut is different from that of ants and other insects. They produce enzymes that help the digestive process.
Termites typically eat wood, but they will eat anything with cellulose. They are attracted to cellulose because it is the primary building block for most plants. They will eat both new and old wood. The older the wood, the easier it is to break down.
Termites will chew through the structure of your home. In some cases, they can cause invisible damage. In other cases, they can eat through your furniture, your cabinets, and your walls. They can even hollow out walls and other wood structures.
Termites are usually a silent destroyer. Their feeding habits may have greater impact on humans than other insects. They release significant amounts of methane and are known to contribute 3% of global emissions. They will eat through billions of dollars of property each year.
