What Do Termites Damage?
Termites are infamous for damaging wood. A termite colony will chew through wood to get to the cellulose wood is made of. Termites may not actually digest the wood, but they can nonetheless damage it with their activity.
Inside a home or business in Iowa, termites can target a number of areas. Indoors, they can damage support beams, flooring, posts, wall studs, and more. Outside, they can easily damage piles of lumber, fallen logs, wooden decks, outdoor furniture, and more. Any source of cellulose is at risk of being damaged by termites.
Where Does Wood Damage Occur?
With subterranean termites, wood that is in contact with soil is especially vulnerable to termite damage. Most homes here in Iowa 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.
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Do Termites Infest Metal or Other Materials?
Termites of course feed on and target wood. But are they able to infest other materials? Typically, no. A few materials that termites are not able to infest include:
- 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 make both of these vulnerable to termites.
Why Do Termites Damage Wood?
Termites need cellulose to survive, which is the substance found within wood. This makes many homes and properties vulnerable to termite problems in Iowa. To protect all areas of your property from termite damage, it’s best to work with a professional termite exterminator such as Springer Professional Home Services.
What Do Termites Damage?
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