To help protect the material from rotting and insects, pressure-treated wood is infused with chemical preservatives. This wood is commonly found in homes that come into contact with the earth, such as decks, exterior basement walls, fence posts, and many outdoor structures. Does termites eat treated wood?
It's important to remember that, while this is a type of termite-resistant wood, it's not perfect. Termites can wreak havoc on pressure-treated wood. This typically occurs when the wood becomes damp and begins to decay or during construction.
Do Termites Consume Cedar
As you can see, there are no known types of termite-resistant wood. Cedar, on the other hand, is thought to be a naturally durable and termite-resistant wood. According to news from a United States Department of Agriculture publication, termites eat cedar, though it may not be their first food choice. So, while cedar is a somewhat termite-resistant wood, it is far from a termite repellant. (It's also an exorbitantly priced building material.)
Do Termites Eat Composite Wood
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Why Are Pests Less Attracted To Composite Decking
To begin, unlike traditional wood decking, composite decking is an engineered product that incorporates recycled plastic and wood to provide a variety of durability benefits: it lasts longer than wood decking, is less prone to splintering, is resistant to mold, rot, and decay, and is far less appealing to pests. Each pest has a different reason for finding composite decking repulsive.
Resistance to Termites
We get a lot of questions about whether termites eat composite decking. While termites have been known to nibble on composite decking, infestations are extremely rare because termites prefer natural wood that contains the cellulose they require. If you have an infestation, contact A-1 Pest Masters immediately because the termites you see are only part of the problem. Unseen colony populations can number in the hundreds or even thousands, and effective treatments must extend beyond the visible termite area to ensure the entire colony is eliminated. Consider hiring a contractor to assess the extent of termite damage outside and inside your home and make necessary repairs before serious structural damage occurs. To get the best termite inspection, Chicago contacts A-1 Pest Masters.
Resistance to Carpenter Bees
People are also curious whether carpenter bees consume composite wood decking. Carpenter bees do not eat wood but bore holes in it to build their nests in the early spring. While the hole you see is usually about the size of a dime, what you don't see is far more dangerous to your structure. Carpenter bees build a foot-long tunnel (about the size of a thin hotdog) in which they lay multiple eggs, which hatch, undergo complete metamorphosis, and fly away as adults to damage your wood further. These colossal bumblers prefer unfinished natural wood, but they have been observed nesting in softwood, pressure-treated lumber, composite decking, and PVC decking. Look for the tell-tale sign of "sawdust" beneath where they build their nest. Hardware stores and general retailers sell traps and treatments.
Resistance To Rodents
We also get questions about four-legged mammal pests, such as whether composite decking attracts rats or other rodents. Composite decking, like carpenter bees, is not completely resistant to rodent damage (like squirrels). Other materials, such as insulation and paper products, are generally more appealing to rodents. Hardware stores and general retailers sell traps and treatments. Remember that rodents are notorious for chewing through wires, so inspect rodent-infested areas for damage; chewed wires can cause power outages or, worse, a house fire.
A-1 Pest Masters Provides Superior Pest Protection
As previously stated, modern composite decking is not an appealing material to pests. Termites dislike it, whereas carpenter bees, rats, and squirrels are much more attracted to other materials. A-1 Pest Masters, on the other hand, takes this a step further to make it even less appealing to creepy crawlies and other harmful situations. We provide a product that resists damage not only from insects and pests but also from moisture and rot, thanks to our proprietary Solid Core technology at the foundation of every board. We're all about being objectionable material to these destructive elements. The result is a long-lasting, low-maintenance decking material specially engineered to last for years.
Will Termite-Resistant Wood Keep My House Safe
The simple answer to this question is no. Even pressure-treated and naturally durable woods can be damaged and infested by termites. Termites can easily tunnel through treated wood to reach a home's untreated wood or other cellulose-containing substances.
This method, like DIY termite control, isn't foolproof when protecting your home.
A-1 Pest Master has 35 years of termite control experience and thousands of professionally trained technicians and customer service representatives to ensure we do everything possible to meet your termite control needs. We are committed to doing whatever it takes to protect your home from termite damage.
Furthermore, a termite control professional can tell you whether you have carpenter ants or termites. Both are attracted to moisture and wood, have wings as reproductives, and swarm during mating season, so they are frequently confused.
Contact A-1 Pest Masters to get an a1 pest control to arrange for a termite inspection so that your customized treatment or protection plan can begin as soon as possible. You’ll learn more about termites in another post; what do termites look like? For more information, contact us at (312) 647-2630.