Termites In Plywood

Plywood is composed of several cuts of wood glued together which contains cellulose.

Termites in plywood. It s hard to imagine what a termites can and cannot turn into dust over a long period time and it almost seems like if they can t do the job there s another insect willing to give it a shot. Once water enters there the plywood will separate. It s economical durable and can be used in a variety of ways including flooring paneling and furniture making. Plywood is the most common subfloor material in recently built homes.

While they can eat any type of wood there are some species they prefer to avoid as much as possible. Broadly speaking termites dislike heartwood. All of the most common subfloor materials are wood based and susceptible to termite damage. This answer depends on whether the plywood has been pressure treated or not.

Subterranean termites can be found in wood and compost piles around your home in addition to the foundational wood. Plywood is an engineered wood that s made by gluing together thin layers of wood veneers. Termites live on the cellulose found in wood or certain other plant materials such as cotton. Drywood termites are found mostly in warm coastal regions primarily california texas louisiana florida and georgia.

Severe wall and ceiling damage. Subterranean termites can be found anywhere in the states. Termite damage can be as simple as scarring on a piece of paneling to serious structural damage. Oriented strand board osb also can be used for subfloors.

Termites need a source of water to survive so they are unlikely to arrive in plywood shipped from overseas. Most advanced damage appears in the form of leafed or layered damage as the termite prefers sap wood and leaves the heartwood when possible. Older homes typically have subfloors made of 3 4 inch thick x 4 to 8 inch pine. Normally termites will find this cellulose in plywood so they ll eat it.

While plywood has been a top choice among homeowners for furnishing home interiors a variety of alternatives have sprung up offering a cheaper price better appearance etc. This treatment will prevent water from penetrating the laminated edges of the plywood.