Termites are a well known, little creature that can spell BIG problems for homeowners in Australia and abroad.
When one plans to build or select a home, one would think it wise to consider the materials of the home in hopes of finding a way to keep those nasty home-eaters away, But is there a difference in what kind of wood your house is made of? Will one type of wood attract termites over another? The truth to this question may actually surprise you.
This article will cover a few facts about termites and their appetites.
A perfect example of a hardwood termite magnet…
Australia is unique when it comes to our native hardwood trees. Our trees produce some of the most durable and attractive timbers in the entire world. So, of course, it’s no wonder that we use so many of them when building our homes.
While hardwoods are usually stronger than softwoods this is not always the case. And most of us don’t know the difference anyway. I mean, doesn’t a Pine tree, which is a softwood just sound like it should be stronger than a Gum Tree which is a hardwood?
What most people don’t realize is that the distinction between hardwood and softwood is strictly botanical. It’s not referring to the strength or hardness of the wood at all. Hardwoods are relatively broad-leafed trees that produce enclosed seeds, like fruits or nuts. Softwoods are coniferous or cone-bearing trees with needle-like leaves. That’s about it.
Unfortunately for many homeowners, though, they think of “hardwood” as also being harder for termites to eat through. What most people don’t seem to realize is that termites just really couldn’t care less. It’s sad but true, termites really aren’t that picky.
Although,they really do seem to love Radiata Pine for some reason. Which by the way is what half of the homes in Dubbo are made from.
Termites are among the most successful groups of insects on Earth.
They are scavengers.
Swarmers will come into your home looking for places to nest.
They may look like ants, and even operate a lot like ants, but they are not ants. They evolved from close ancestors of cockroaches And what are cockroaches? Yes, Scavengers! Termites are detritivores, which just means they will consume dead plants at any level of decomposition. So they’re not going to be too picky about destroying your house.
While there are various woods that differ in their susceptibility to termite attack. Hardwood vs. Softwood has nothing to do with it. The differences are attributed to things like moisture content, hardness (which we now know has nothing to do with the word “hardwood”), and resin and lignin content.
Some species of termites even love woods that others won’t touch. Scientists think this is actually conditioned or learned behavior. So there’s a good chance that even if we find wood that termites don’t eat right now, they’ll probably just teach themselves to like it later! In some cases, termites have even been known to infest and consume houses made of bricks! It would seem that termites will eat just about anything, so to keep yourself safe from termites, it would seem that other means will have to be employed!
