Pest Control Contractor & Exterminators in Plainsboro, NJ

Homeowners in Plainsboro found termite damage on a section of sheetrock (drywall) inside their garage. While most everyone knows that termites devour wood, many are surprised to learn that termites can also damage processed building materials. One of the most common materials destroyed by termites is sheetrock. Sheetrock is a plasterboard made of gypsum sandwiched between two sheets of heavy paper. Gypsum is a soft mineral that is used as a fertilizer and as a primary material in sheetrock and other building products. While termites do not eat gypsum, as this homeowner found out, they easily destroy sheetrock by eating its “edible” paper coating. 

Termites infesting a home can potentially eat and destroy any material made of cellulose. What’s cellulose? It’s an organic fiber that is a type of carbohydrate. Cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls. It’s what  gives wood its remarkable strength. Because of its strength and durability, we use wood to build many of our long-lasting structures, including homes, that are still standing, even after more than a century. 

Humans don’t have the enzymes to digest the cellulose. For us, it’s just an  undigestible fiber that helps keep our digestive tract flowing smoothly. However, many other animals can digest cellulose. For example, cows, horses, and many other animals eat grasses and plants. However, none of these animals holds a candle to termites. These insects are the true kings of cellulose digestion. They not only eat wood (whether it’s a dead tree stump or the plywood used to build a home), but also any processed materials containing cellulose. Termites will eat and destroy a variety of cellulose-containing materials that bear no resemblance to anything that was once living. We’ve seen termite damage to carpet, insulation, cardboard, fabric, and, as this homeowner learned the hard way, sheetrock paper. 

Unfortunately, termites typically damage walls form the inside out and visible wood damage is a late sign of termite trouble. Earlier signs, such as mud tubes built by termites where they enter the home, are subtle. Often, they are only observed by a licensed termite expert during a termite inspection. It’s important to periodically have your home inspected for termites, not just when you require to have one in order to sell your home. By then, you may have already suffered significant hidden damage. Also, many homeowners proactively protect their home against termite damage by installing a Sentricon termite protection system.