Termites also tend to avoid specific species of trees such as redwoods, yellow cedar, Laotian teak, and cypress. However, these types of wood are not as long-lasting as treated lumber.
Sapwood (which is the outer cream-colored wood just under the bark) even of Redwood is not naturally termite-resistant; but Redwood lumber made of heartwood and used in the Philippine Islands, Mexico, and the United States has successfully resisted termite attacks for from forty to fifty-five years.
Cedar – This type of wood seems to be toxic, or at least unappetizing, to termites, and for that reason, it is sometimes used in architectural applications. Often it is treated with borate to enhance this natural resistance. Beware, though: Cedar tends to be quite expensive.
Although they're not adequate substitutes for treatment of termites, there are a number of plants rumored to act as termite repellents, but more research is needed for most of them. However, it seems that two plants, catnip and vetiver grass, have shown promise in studies as termite repellents.
You can also think about using gravel between your flowerbeds and the walls of your house to keep them away from your house. You can even choose certain types of mulch like redwood and cypress which contain certain resins that will repel termites.
Cedar Mulch – Resin from cedar heartwood is toxic to termites. Cedar mulch can also deter cockroaches, odorous house ants, and other insects. Cypress Mulch – Heartwood makes cypress a termite-resistant mulch. It also has anti-fungal properties and a slow rate of decay.
Redwood, with its natural insect-repelling and rot-resistant qualities, is an especially good choice because it resists termite and ant infestations and lasts longer than other wood mulches.
Termites dislike certain odors that act as repellents to them. Some of the common smells they hate include orange oil, neem oil, garlic, cinnamon, vinegar, mint, and citrus.
Termites preferred southern yellow pine and spruce. Termites will eat and damage Peruvian walnut.
In the Northern states, where termites are less likely to thrive, older homes have a better chance of surviving. With this being said, while older homes do play a role in termite susceptibility, there is no true correlation between the two in this study.
Cover your wood during the summer and fall. This will keep it drier and help discourage termites and other pests from using it as an overwintering site. Shake, jar, or knock logs together to dislodge insects and brush off any obvious insect structures, such as webbing or cocoons, before bringing them inside.
Redwood construction can be pretty resistant to termite damage but the amount of chewed off footers and floor joists when we started to remodel was truly shocking.
To deter the pests, homeowners can obtain heartwood-grade lumber for construction projects. Termites also tend to avoid specific species of trees such as redwoods, yellow cedar, Laotian teak, and cypress. However, these types of wood are not as long-lasting as treated lumber.
Black bears live in redwood forests and gnaw on sugary redwood bark. Chickarees (a kind of squirrel) and long-horned beetle larvae help to spread sequoia seeds by eating the fleshy scales of the cones and freeing the seeds.
With its inherent dimensional stability and heartwood decay- resistance, redwood lumber is one of few woods that can be left unfinished. This no-maintenance option results in a look often preferred for a rustic weathered appearance.
Here are some plants that deter termites:
Garlic. Vetivergrass. Catnip. Marigolds.
Install Pea Gravel around the Foundation of Your Home
This suggestion is only for homeowners serious about preventing termites. Install 8-10 inches of pea gravel next to the foundation of your home to keep your mulch from touching your home's foundation. Termites have a terrible time tunneling through pea gravel.
Termite-resistant mulch
Cypress heartwood has been rated as termite-resistant, with one study showing that extracts from this wood actually repel termites. Similarly, if you lay cedar mulch, termites won't be very happy. Organic, wood-based mulches aren't going to provide termites with a source for heavy feeding.
3 - Tea Tree Oil & Other Essential Oils
If you want to avoid termites at home, you can use essential oils, such as cinnamon oil, clove bud oil, or the famous tea tree oil. To use them properly, all you have to do is to fill them in a mist sprayer and spray on the damaged areas to repel termites.
Ants are the greatest predators of termites, and may have a considerable local impact on termite populations in some areas of the world. A few parasitoids of termites are known, but their potential for regulating termite populations seems negligible.
Vetiver grass is a powerful ally in the fight against termites. Originating from India, this tall, clumping grass is known for its extensive root system, which helps prevent soil erosions.
With its natural beauty and durability, redwood is a great choice when you want a project to stand out. The most common uses of redwood are for fencing, decking and trellis. There are many other applications for redwood including gorgeous siding and creating a shiplap accent wall.
They represent the original face of nature, embodying a beauty millions of years in the making. These forests store more carbon from the atmosphere than any other forest ecosystem, and they support communities of life found nowhere else on Earth. The redwood forests are the greatest forests on Earth.