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First, let’s bust a mini-myth. While termites are famously known for eating wood, they do not do so nearly as fast or as omnivorously as they are depicted in popular cartoons, where they can be seen munching in a circle on every inch of wood in eyesight. In reality, termites do enjoy wood as a meal.
The rate at which termites eat wood depends on many factors such as the species of termite, size of the colony, type of wood, climate, and location. Experts estimate that over a period of about five months, a group of around 60,000 termites can eat the equivalent of one foot of a 2x4 beam. No matter how fast they eat, the pests can do serious ...
Mar 20, 2024 · Do not pile or store firewood or wood debris next to the house.
Not only do termites eat wood, but many species of the insect live in it, too. This makes finding food sources easier for the pests. Generally, termites live in trees, lumber, soil, and wooden structures. Therefore, homes are vulnerable to damage caused by termite feeding. How the Termite Diet Affects Homeowners.
Jun 17, 2021 · What Do Termites Eat? Termites eat wood, wood byproducts (paper, fabric, sawdust, wood chips , etc.) and other dead plants. According to Pest Strategies Home Expert and CEO Ed Spicer, the gut of a termite contains bacterial protozoa.
Termites eat wood because it’s an abundant source of cellulose which they are able to consume and use as fuel. Most other animals can not consume cellulose, so it gives termites an advantage over other insects, and gives them an abundant food source!
Many termites feed on trees and rotting logs in wooded areas. However, they can't tell the difference between these types of wood and the wood that's used to build your house. If they manage to find exposed wood inside your house, they will eat it. It would take a single termite over 3,000 years to eat even a small home.
