Do Termites Eat Hardwood? The Truth May Surprise You
Many homeowners believe hardwood is termite-proof—but this is definitely a myth. At Certified Home Inspections, we see firsthand how termites cause devastating structural damage to hardwood framed homes, even in homes built with dense, durable hardwood. The truth is: termites absolutely eat hardwood and some of our species actually prefer hardwood and if left untreated, they’ll keep going until it’s paper-thin—or completely gone, causing substantial damage.
Why Do Termites Eat Wood—Even Hardwood?
Termites feed on cellulose, the main nutrient found in wood. While hardwood is denser than softwood, it still contains cellulose, and termites are well-equipped to digest it. In fact they don’t directly digest the wood; rather, the microbes, particularly protozoa, within their digestive system do the work, converting cellulose into usable sugars.
Some species prefer softer or decaying woods because they’re easier to chew through, but our most destructive termites in South East Queensland—including Coptotermes, Schedorhinotermes, and Nasutitermes—will definitely consume hardwood. In most cases they actually prefer the denser hardwood due to the fact that it contains more cellulose.
We often see homes made of hardwood damaged by termites from the inside out. People often assume, “You can’t even drive a nail into this timber—so how can termites eat it?” But termites don’t need iron jaws; they utilize moisture, saliva, enzymes and microbes to break it down and cause major damage to tmber structures.
Myths even spread by our industry:
We recently had an inspection where another pest control company had identified a termite species as Microcerotermes—and were told that they only eat softwood. The client was told there was no threat to her hardwood-framed home.
Unfortunately, the termites were actually Coptotermes, a species known for attacking hardwood. By the time we were called out, the termites had:
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Gained access to the home via the subfloor
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Caused major damage to the flooring beams
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Formed a sub nest in the laundry behind the washing machine
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Damaged internal walls and luckily they hadn’t reached the roof
This situation is a harsh reminder: misidentification can be costly, and no timber is truly safe from termites.
What Termite species Eat Hardwood?
Here are the main species we mostly come across in South East Queensland that infest hardwood:
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Coptotermes Spp
The most destructive termite throughout Australia. They will eat most timbers, including hardwood. -
Schedorhinotermes Spp
These termites are very aggressive feeders that prefer hardwoods and attack framing and flooring and big colonies can cause massive damage in a very short time in as little a a few months. -
Nasutitermes Spp
These termites build visible arboreal nests and target both soft and hardwood timbers. Generally these termites are easily treated due to the visible nests -
Microcerotermes species
Smaller colonies, visible nests but are capable of damaging retaining walls, fences, structural beams, and other timber elements, including hardwood.
✅ Note: Heterotermes are mostly limited to decaying timber softwoods, they still pose a threat to your home, landscaping timbers, fencing, and untreated external structures.
What to look for in identifying Termite Activity in Hardwood
Regular inspections are the key Here’s what you need to look for:
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Hollow-sounding timber when tapped and if you listen carefully you can sometimes hear them clicking
Listen here to hear them clicking
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Mud Leads in Subfloors ,on walls, House Stumps, beams.
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Visible Timber damage such as Distorted timber, flaking, or blistering
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Indentation lines in your wall linings
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Discarded wings especially inside the home near windows or door frames
If you identify any of these warning signs, it’s essential to book a termite inspection immediately.
Are Any Hardwoods Safe from Termites?
Absolutely Not.
Even though there are some naturally termite-resistant hardwoods like Meranti, ironbark etc. But given enough time the resistant properties slowly reduces so with the right conditions particularly moisture and colony size, they can be infested. In fact, a lot of termite baiting stations use Tasmanian Oak—a hardwood—as the attractant, because termites will actively feed on it.
We’ve seen numerous cases of homeowners going in excess of five years or more without a termite inspection, believing their hardwood homes were safe from termites. The result was the opposite. The Termites went undetected and caused extensive damage to flooring, roof trusses, walls and door frames.
How Fast Can Termites Eat Through Hardwood?
A mature colony can consume up to 6kg of wood per day. That’s the equivalent of:
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Several meters of floorboards
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structural supports
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roof timbers
In ideal conditions—humid weather, available moisture, and easy access—Major damage can occur within a matter of months. Most of it is hidden beneath the surface and isn’t noticed until it is too late and the structural integrity of the timbers are compromised.
How to Protect Your Hardwood Home from Termites
✅ Annual Termite Inspections
Have your home inspected by licensed professionals at least once a year. At Certified Home Inspections, we use thermal imaging, moisture meters, and borescopes and the Termatrac I Tracker Pro to help identify and detect hidden infestations.
✅ Chemical Barriers ( Termite Management system)
We can install a Chemical perimeter barrier around your home to help repel or eliminate termites before they enter your home.
✅ Termite Baiting Systems
Baiting stations are extremely effective for monitoring and killing entire colonies before they reach your home.
✅ Moisture Control
Fix leaking pipes, maintain good drainage, and improve subfloor ventilation to make your home less attractive to termites. Keeping Moisture away from your home is probably the most important thing when it comes to termites.
Don’t Believe the Myths and Get Protected.
If you own a hardwood home or any home including steel frame in Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, or the Gold Coast, don’t assume you’re safe based on outdated advice or false information. Termites don’t discriminate when it comes to your most valuable asset—and neither do we when it comes to protecting your property.
Book a Termite Inspection or Building and Pest inspection Today
📞 Call Certified Home Inspections: tel:1800 862 683
📧 Email: [email protected]
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