Why Does Termites Eat Wood?

Termites are one of the only animals in the world that can digest wood. If you have a termite infestation in your home, it can wreak havoc. Termites are silent destroyers that can destroy your home with little or no warning. In addition to eating wood, termites also feed on leaf litter, soil, and grass.

In order to survive, termites have a digestive system that breaks down cellulose into simple sugars. Their guts contain thousands of different species of microbes. Several of these microbes are bacteria. Most termites eat wood, though, because it is a source of cellulose.

When termites eat wood, they break down the cellulose fibers. These cellulose fibers are difficult for other animals to digest. The cellulose that the termites eat is a plant-based compound that gives wood its structure.

Termites have special mouth parts that allow them to eat the cellulose. In addition, they have a strong mandible that can chew through the wood. As they do this, they create galleries in the wood.

Some types of termites will chew through plastic. Termites can also enter a home through cracks in the foundation or floors.

Several types of termites like to eat dry, decayed wood. Others, such as the Formosan Subterranean termite, will invade live trees. They have colonies that can grow to be as large as a million members.

The best way to avoid termite infestation is to avoid cellulose-containing materials in your home. Several types of paper are a good source of cellulose. Other items that are rich in cellulose include books, magazines, and cardboard.