Termites Cedar Siding

That said termites are less attracted to cedar than other types of wood.

Termites cedar siding. Department of agriculture that s because cedar contains allelochemicals. Its durability along with the visual appeal of its light color and straight grain make it ideal for exteriors and interior trim. Termites and other pests hate the layer of char and it deters them from trying to eat into or make their homes in your siding or fencing. White oak and chestnut oak resist termites well.

Subterranean termites live underground feeding on wood surfaces buried below the surface. Some scientists have even found that these resins are toxic to the termites that decide to ingest them. Charred wood is more bug pest resistant than normal wood. While termites tend to avoid certain types of lumber including yellow cedar trees redwoods cypress trees and teak trees they still can consume these woods especially if it s the only available food source.

Termites can eat cedar but they tend to stay away from it because cedar wood has resin and oil that tends to repel them. These are substances naturally produced by plants that act as repellents against some insects. Using charred wood siding will reduce or eliminate these long term maintenance and replacement costs. The most disastrous issues come from pests that burrow into wood siding destroying the effectiveness and aesthetic appearance of your siding.

Thus building with hardwoods of these varieties will provide some natural resistance to termite infestations but these woods still can t provide complete or long term protection against these invasive pests. Cedar is commonly believed to be a termite repellent wood but the truth is these pests will eat it if they have to. Cypress in particular arizona cypress bald cypress and tidewater red cypress is another good choice for discouraging termites. However as with all wood and even lumber resins and sap seep out of the wood over time.