Why Do Termites Eat Wood?
WouterIf you live in a house, you might wonder why termites eat wood. Termites are a type of insect that consumes the plant fiber cellulose.cellulose is a nutrient that provides the strength and structure to wood. It is also found in paper and cardboard.
Termites can damage your home. However, you can prevent the infestation. In fact, the best type of termite deterrent is pressure treated wood. It is saturated with a chemical barrier that makes it resistant to fungal and other insects.
The reason that termites can eat wood is that they have special mouth parts that enable them to chew through the wood. The mandibles of a termite are extremely strong and able to splinter the wood into small pieces. Then, they swallow the pieces to reach their guts.
The protozoa in the gut of a termite enable them to break down the cellulose in the wood. The bacteria in the gut convert the cellulose into sugars that are digestible. The termites need these bacteria to survive. Without them, they would starve to death.
Termites are attracted to wet and decaying wood. They use the cellulose in this material to build their nests and tunnels. They also create open areas for moving and storing their eggs. The cellulose in wood provides the termites with energy.
Once established, a termite colony can grow very large. The colony can have as many as one million members. These colonies can be spotted by the mud tubes that they leave behind. They are also attracted to dead tree stumps, hardwood floors, and furniture.
