What Do Termites Eat? (Hint: It’s Not Just Wood!)
Most people know that termites eat wood, but few understand why. Termites do not actually feed on wood for its flavour or bulk; they are after cellulose—the most abundant organic polymer on Earth and the primary structural component of plant cell walls.
Because cellulose is found in countless everyday items, a termite's diet extends far beyond structural timber and trees. Inside a modern home, subterranean and drywood termites will feast on a wide range of household materials to sustain their colony.
How Can Termites Digest Wood?
Human beings and most animals cannot digest cellulose because our digestive tracts lack the necessary enzymes. Termites, however, host specialized microorganisms (protozoa and bacteria) inside their hindguts. These symbiotic microbes break down rigid cellulose fibers into simple, nutritious sugars that the worker termites can metabolize and share with the queen, soldiers, and larvae through a process called trophallaxis (mutual feeding).
Common Household Items Termites Feed On
If an item contains plant-based fibers or cellulose, termites consider it a food source:
- Structural Timber: Roof trusses, door and window frames, floor joists, and baseboards.
- Paper & Cardboard: Storage boxes, paperback books, wallpaper, and financial documents.
- Drywall / Plasterboard Linings: The paper backing that sandwiches gypsum plaster boards.
- Fabrics & Textiles: Natural organic fibers such as pure cotton, linen, and hemp fabrics.
- Engineered Wood: Plywood, particleboard, medium-density fibreboard (MDF), and wood veneers used in built-in kitchen cabinets.
What Termites CANNOT Eat (Debunking the Concrete Myth)
| Material | Can Termites Eat It? | How Termites Interact With It |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete & Cement | No | They exploit hairline cracks (as small as 0.8mm) to squeeze through. |
| Solid Metal & Steel | No | Their mandibles cannot cut metal; they navigate around it. |
| Plastic & Foam Insulation | No (Cannot digest) | They will chew through soft plastic or foam to reach cellulose behind it. |
| Glass & Ceramic Tiles | No | Completely impervious; termites build mud tubes over surfaces instead. |
Why Understanding Their Diet Protects Your Home
Because termites seek out cellulose wherever it hides, keeping a home termite-free requires more than just inspecting visible wood. Eliminating damp cardboard boxes in storerooms, ensuring paper-lined drywall stays dry, and removing untreated wood debris around your compound are essential first steps in cutting off their food supply.
