Termites are estimated to cost billions of dollars worth of damage a year. This is bad news for the insurance companies but often good news for builders who need to replace the damaged wood and ensure properties are still structurally sound. In fact, there are a number of benefits to termites.
Regardless of who is paying to deal with the termites, they are a serious inconvenience to any homeowner and need to be dealt with as quickly as possible.
In short, you need professional help with how to control termites and eliminate their threat to your property. The good news is that treated wood is an important step toward this goal!
What Is Treated Wood?
Treated wood is exactly what it says it is, standard wood that has been treated with a variety of chemicals. The chemicals are pressure blasted into the wood during the production process. You can also paint the wood with a similar chemical after it has been manufactured. This can be done before the wood is used or in-situ.
The initial idea behind this was to give the wood additional strength and durability as it made it harder for water to penetrate and weaken the wood.
However, the chemicals are also effective at killing a variety of pests, including termites.
Why Termites Don’t Eat Treated Wood
The short answer is that it can kill them. The chemicals used to treat wood are toxic to many animals, including termites. Eating the treated wood means the termites are effectively poisoning themselves. That’s not good for their survival.
But, there is more to it than just that! Treated wood is denser thanks to the additional chemicals. This makes it stronger and more durable. It also makes it harder for termites to bite into. In short, termites will find it much easier to eat a different piece of wood and they will choose that option!
In addition, the chemicals mask the smell of cellulose which is effective at attracting termites. In fact, cellulose is particularly noticeable in decaying or rotten wood. As the treated wood is stronger and lasts longer it is less likely to attract termites. There will always be softer wood that is easier to attack. That means any wood that hasn’t been treated!
You should also note that the pressure treatment process sucks the air out of the wood. That means that the wood is completely dry inside, making it less likely to decay. Of course, a dry environment has no appeal to a termite as they need to stay moist to survive.
When Termites Attack
Of course, treated wood is not completely impervious to attack. A termite can still eat it even if it is not good for them. That’s why untreated wood should only be a step in your fight against termite damage. Combine it with sealing gaps, good ventilation, and regular inspections and you can enjoy a termite-free home. That is saving you money and a lot of hassle.
