Alexei Volkov
Termites are insects that are known to cause a lot of damage to property, especially wood. They are attracted to wood, particularly untreated wood, and can be found in trees, tree stumps, and mulch. While termites are known to chew through almost any material, including plastic and concrete, they do not eat asphalt, plastic tar paper, or anything that is not made of wood. Additionally, while termites can chew through plastic, they cannot digest it due to the lack of cellulose.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can termites go through plastic? | Yes, some species of termites can chew through plastic. |
| Can termites digest plastic? | No, termites cannot digest plastic. |
| What type of termites can chew through plastic? | Formosan termites and the giant northern termite. |
| Can termites go through tar? | No, termites do not eat asphalt, plastic tar paper, or anything that is not made of wood. |
| What attracts termites to a home? | Trees with low-hanging branches, unfinished basements, cellars, and crawl spaces. |
| What do termites eat? | Wood, particularly untreated and soft, damp wood. |
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What You'll Learn
Formosan termites can chew through plastic, but not digest it
Termites are known for their cellulose-eating capabilities. They have specialized midguts that can digest cellulose, which is the primary building block found in plant matter. They are attracted to anything with a cellulose compound and will eat wood, paper, cardboard, and even clothing made of natural fibers like cotton.
While termites do not actively consume plastic, they can tunnel through plastic barriers or packaging in search of food sources like wood or paper. They have strong, serrated jaws that can chew through almost any material, even plastic. Formosan termites, in particular, can easily chew through PVC pipes, causing water service shut-downs and power outages. They will also go through thin sheets of metal, mortar, electric power lines, and communications lines to get to their preferred food sources.
However, termites cannot digest plastic because it lacks cellulose. Bacterial protozoa found in termites' stomachs aid in the digestion of food by breaking it down, but they cannot break down plastics to the point where termites can digest them. As a result, termites will only chew through plastic if there is a chance of finding food on the other side.
Overall, while Formosan termites can chew through plastic, they cannot digest it and are simply attempting to bypass it to access their preferred food sources.
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Termites are attracted to homes with exposed wooden structural supports
Termites are attracted to wood because it is a cellulose material, their primary food source. They will eat any type of wood they can find, including exposed wooden structural supports.
Homes with exposed wooden structural supports are particularly vulnerable to termite infestations. These supports are often found in unfinished basements, cellars, or crawl spaces, which are prone to moisture—another attractant for termites.
To prevent termite infestations, it is recommended to keep wood piles raised and away from the house, especially if you have an unfinished basement or crawl space. Firewood, lumber, cardboard boxes, and newspapers should not be stored against foundations or inside crawl spaces as they attract termites and provide hidden entry points.
Additionally, it is important to ensure that wooden decks and privacy fences are not in direct contact with the ground. Support posts should be set in concrete, and the deck should be elevated at least six inches off the ground. If the deck is attached to the house, any exposed wood should be painted or stained to protect it from termites.
While termites are primarily attracted to wood, they can also chew through other materials, such as plastic and tar, to access their food sources. They can even destroy electrical wires within PVC pipes, leading to power outages. Therefore, it is crucial to take preventive measures, such as annual termite inspections, to protect your home from costly termite damage.
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Tree stumps near your home can attract termites
Tree stumps can be attractive to termites and leaving them near your home can cause an infestation. Termites are classified as eusocial insects that eat the organic matter that wood is made of, cellulose. They can cause significant structural damage to your home if an infestation occurs.
There are two types of termites that may be attracted to a stump that is left in your yard: Dampwood and Subterranean. Dampwood termites usually only eat wood that has already begun to rot or decay and do not pose an immediate risk to your home. On the other hand, Subterranean termites are the most common type and will eat any type of wood or substance that contains cellulose, posing an immediate risk to your home.
Tree stumps take a long time to decay and rot away completely. While the stump rots, it attracts many insects, including termites. Even if termites are present, you can usually eradicate the problem by getting rid of the offending tree stump. If you do not, the termites will move on to anything else that is made of wood and nearby, including your home. Therefore, it is important to remove any tree stumps near your home to prevent a termite infestation.
To remove a tree stump, you can engage the services of a tree specialist. A tree specialist will be able to bore out the stump in its entirety, effectively preventing termites from migrating to your home. You can also remove the stump yourself by using a cutting wheel fixed with tungsten teeth to chip and grind away the stump wood below the surface of the ground. Additionally, you should fix any leaking drainage and water pipes to avoid providing the soil moisture that termites require.
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Termites can chew through plastic pipes and billiard balls
Termites are insects known for their ability to chew through a wide range of materials, including wood, which is their primary food source. However, it is not common knowledge that termites can also chew through plastic pipes and even harder substances like billiard balls.
Formosan subterranean termites, in particular, have a reputation for being extremely destructive. They dwell beneath the ground for much of their lives, increasing the likelihood of their encountering PVC pipes. PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is a durable plastic material used in various applications, including underground water pipes and electrical wiring. Unfortunately for homeowners, Formosan termites seem to have no trouble penetrating this material. They have been known to break underground plastic water pipes, causing water service disruptions, and they have also damaged electrical wires within PVC pipes, resulting in power outages.
The destructive capabilities of Formosan termites extend beyond just PVC pipes. These insects will go through thin sheets of metal, mortar, electric power lines, and telecommunications lines to reach their preferred food sources, which include wood and cellulosic materials. Their strong, serrated jaws enable them to chew through a diverse range of substances, even those they cannot digest. While termites cannot digest plastic due to its lack of cellulose, they will penetrate PVC if it provides a pathway to a food source.
The secret to the termites' success in chewing through such a wide range of materials lies in their secretion of formic acid. This corrosive acid not only aids in breaking down their food but also contributes to the destruction of wiring within plastic pipes. Interestingly, the bodies of termites also contain a relatively high amount of formic acid, constituting around 3% of their body weight. This natural production of formic acid further enhances their ability to penetrate and damage various structures, including plastic pipes and billiard balls.
While termites can chew through plastic pipes and billiard balls, it is important to note that their primary food source remains cellulose-rich materials. They are attracted to decaying plant matter, paper, cardboard, and other cellulose-based substances. Therefore, while they may chew on plastic or harder substances, their focus is typically on accessing their preferred food sources.
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Drywood termites don't need moisture to survive
Termites are insects known for their ability to chew through and destroy a wide range of materials, including wood, plastic, and even PVC pipes. While termites are attracted to soft, damp wood, they don't always need a moisture source to survive. This is especially true for drywood termites, which are a species of termite that tends to reside in dry wood and do not need as much water as other termites.
Drywood termites are commonly found in warmer, tropical climates with mild winters, such as in coastal regions of the southern United States, including Florida, California, and Texas. Unlike subterranean termites, which nest in the ground and require soil contact for moisture, drywood termites live completely within the wood they infest, making early detection difficult. Drywood termites extract all the moisture they need from the wood they digest and metabolize. This means they can infest homes through exposed wood or infested wooden furniture brought indoors, and they don't need to create mud tunnels for entry like subterranean termites.
The lack of visible signs of infestation makes it challenging to detect drywood termites until noticeable damage has occurred. Drywood termites build wider galleries and have no preference for hardwood or softwood, which can compromise the structure of the wood more than subterranean termites. Their colonies can grow for years undetected, causing significant structural damage to homes. Drywood termites produce distinctive fecal pellets, which may be a sign of their presence, but these droppings are often mistaken for sawdust.
To prevent and control drywood termite infestations, it is crucial to identify the specific species and understand their biology and habits. This information guides the selection of effective treatment methods, such as spot treatments and wood treatments with termiticides. Additionally, maintaining a distance of at least 20 feet between firewood and scrap wood stacks and homes can help reduce the risk of drywood termite infestations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, termites can chew through plastic, but they cannot digest it.
Yes, Formosan subterranean termites can chew through PVC plastic.
No, termites do not eat asphalt, plastic tar paper, or anything that is not made of wood.
Termites are attracted to wood, particularly untreated and soft, damp wood.
To prevent a termite infestation, avoid having trees with low-hanging branches that touch your roof, keep gutters clear, and avoid having mulch in gardens close to your home.
