What Do Termites Damage?

Termites are able to damage any wood structure. Any material containing cellulose is at risk of being ravaged by termites.

Inside a home or business in Baton Rouge, termites can target a number of areas. Indoors, they can damage including support beams, flooring, posts, wall studs, and more. Termites also are capable of damaging plaster and the foam insulation inside your home. Outside, they can easily damage piles of lumber, fallen logs, wooden decks, outdoors furniture, and more. It is precisely the fact that these wood-boring insects can feed on so many materials found in or near your home that makes them so dangerous.

Where do Termites Damage Wood?

Termites are capable of infesting any wood source, especially if it has contact with the soil. Most homes are built primarily with wood, which is why termites find your property so appealing. Inside, this means your walls, support beams, drywood, ceilings, floor boards, baseboards, windows, and insulation. In your backyard, termites can infest piles of firewood, roof tiles, patio furniture, decaying logs, and more.

What Can Termites Not Infest?

Termites of course feed on and target wood. But can they infest or damage other items?

There are a few materials that termites are not capable of infesting:

Treated lumber: This has chemicals in it that prevents rot and makes it undesirable to pests. This is why treated lumber is often used in new builds.
Cement/concrete: Termites will not eat through these, as the material is too solid and lacks cellulose. They can make their way through small cracks in concrete, however.
Metal: Again, metal does not contain cellulose and is thus not suitable for termites.
Redwood/cedar: These types of wood are somewhat naturally resistant to termites. However, decay can attract termites to both of these.

Why Do Termites Damage Wood?

Termites need cellulose to survive, which is the substance found within wood. Extreme damage typically occurs after a 5-year infestation. To protect all areas of your property from termite damage, it’s best to work with a professional termite exterminator such as Dugas Pest Control.

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