Termites
Do termites eat painted wood?
Paint does not make lumber inedible. Subterranean termite reach wood from soil and tubes. Drywood termite enter untreated ends, checks, and attic framing. A glossy porch rail can still be hollow. Paint can hide pellets and wings. Get a licensed inspection if you have swarms or tubes.
Paint is not borate
Some pretreatment products are labeled for wood. House paint is not that label. Do not scrape a historic finish looking for “proof” without an inspector if the house is on a real estate clock.
Species pages
The question is only the field note. Control sequence, legal notes, and identification live on the species article.
Subterranean termite
Reticulitermes spp. (and related soil-dwelling genera)
Subterranean termites live in soil and build mud shelter tubes to reach wood. They are the default…
Drywood termite
Kalotermitidae (Incisitermes and others)
Drywood termites live inside the wood. They do not need soil contact. Pellets (frass) that look like tiny…
Related questions
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- Do termite swarms mean the house is infested?
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- How long does a termite swarm last?
- What temperature kills termites?