Termites Eating Wood Floor

Termites are attracted to moist soil.

Termites eating wood floor.

Nevertheless there are hardwood mulches that are more or less resistant to termites. Termites eat wood so it would naturally be the first thing to draw them in. And yes this includes hardwood ironbark or various types of treated timber. Known as the silent destroyer termites mostly feed on dead wood from the inside out making their presence in a home very discreet.

Subterranean termites have been found eating almost any kind of wood. With the binding structures weakened termite infested hardwood floors are susceptible to movement upon any slight impact foot traffic. When termites consume wood they can create cavities in floors baseboards and nearby walls. They do have their own preferences but if needed they can eat almost anything that contains cellulose.

Inspectors often tap on the wood to check for a hollow sound to help determine whether or not there is a hidden termite infestation. Termites weaken the inner structure of wood causing floorboards to exhibit abnormal sounds and damage. If the termites are actually eating the hardwood this indicates more than a minor infestation. Whenever termites eat away at hardwood floors the damage extends to the bond interlinking the floor pieces.

For example cypress heartwood is extremely resistant to termites. Moist soils allows termites to thrive staving off dehydration and death. Termites like soft damp wood. Minor damage to a hardwood floor like oak may be repaired with wood filler.

Cypress heartwood contains resins similar to those found in cedar that are detrimental to termites. Termites are notorious for eating through hardwood floors but do termites eat laminate flooring too. Agricultural research service entomologistsdetermined that allelochemicals found in some woods can act as a repellent to termites. If the house is infested termites do live under the floors especially if the floor covering have wooden ground joist and floor board also made of wood.

Some termite species even use the moist soil to create mud tubes. It s this movement that causes squeaking as the hardwood floor boards rub against one another. The mulch decays very slowly and termites feed minimally on the wood. The type of wood floor will better determine the likelihood of a termite infestation.

It doesn t matter if it is softwood or hardwood pine or oak. In most cases termites do not live in the wood in a home because they require a damp environment.