Cypress Siding And Termites

Cypress siding can be painted stained or clear sealed for a natural look.

Cypress siding and termites.

Cypress wood contains a natural preservative oil called cypressene which makes the wood rot and termite resistant. Cypress in particular arizona cypress bald cypress and tidewater red cypress is another good choice for discouraging termites. Its durability along with the visual appeal of its light color and straight grain make it ideal for exteriors and interior trim. There s warmth moisture and oh yeah food.

Cypress trees have two qualities that make them repellent to termites. Cypress wood grades available. Termites can eat cedar but they tend to stay away from it because cedar wood has resin and oil that tends to repel them. The trouble with cypress mulch is that it takes a long time to break down or decompose.

Not that the little buggers will stay away. Carpenter bees love some other species of wood such as cedar. They ll bore in and lay their eggs and then woodpeckers come along and gouge out grooves to get to the eggs destroying the wood. When the mulch is placed around your yard it s like a flashing neon sign to termites.

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. One of the main reasons i recommend cypress is because it s resistant to decay as well as insects like termites and bees. 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. Add this fact to the essential oil and you have one unhappy termite.

Cypress lap drop siding 1x6. However as with all wood and even lumber resins and sap seep out of the wood over time. Cypress standard shiplap siding 1x6. Therefore termites are less likely to attack furniture or flooring made out of any variety of heartwood.

Cypress 8 bevel siding. However there are also things to worry about cypress heartwood can be scarce and mulch may be harvested from cypress sapwood. Cypress vertical channel siding 1x8. Cypress heartwood contains resins similar to those found in cedar that are detrimental and hurtful to termites.

Termites dislike cypress wood and this is important information for carpenters and homeowners alike. Carpenters use cypress for furniture siding and building trim and they value the wood not only for its beauty but also for the length of its boards. Cypress shake siding 6x18. The wood has a very close grain and even in its natural state after milling meaning no paint or varnish it can remain solid without rotting for many years.

Cypress was used in south louisiana for home building years ago because of its natural ability to repel insects like the termite that is prevalent here in our humid climates. Shipping charges will be added to prices shown. Some scientists have even found that these resins are toxic to the termites that decide to ingest them.