Termites are common pests often associated with damage to wooden structures. While wood is a well-known food source, certain termite species also consume grass. They primarily feed on cellulose, a complex carbohydrate found in plant cell walls.
Termites and Grass
While wood is a well-known food source for termites, certain species do consume grass. Termites primarily feed on cellulose, a complex carbohydrate found in the cell walls of plants, including grass. Some termite types, such as agricultural or desert termites, are known to feed on live forbs, weeds, and grasses, a concern for lawns in arid regions. Harvester termites also collect and eat grass, both dry and living.
Subterranean termites can also consume plant roots and other plant debris containing cellulose. Grass is generally not the primary or preferred food source for many destructive termite species. However, grass can serve as a supplementary food source, especially if other cellulose sources are scarce or during dry conditions when they seek moisture and nourishment closer to the surface. Drywood and most dampwood termites typically prefer wood and are less likely to target grass.
Identifying Termite Presence in Lawns
Specific signs can indicate termite activity in a lawn. One indicator is the appearance of bare, round patches in the lawn, where grass has been stripped away or does not readily regrow. These patches may resemble wilting or yellowing grass that does not respond to typical watering.
Another sign is the presence of mud tubes on the ground. Agricultural termites build mud tubes over grass patches to protect themselves from heat and predators while feeding. Subterranean termites construct these pencil-sized tunnels from soil, wood, and saliva to travel between their underground colonies and food sources. Additionally, finding discarded wings, especially near windows, indicates a termite swarm, suggesting a mature colony is nearby.
Diverse Diets of Termite Species
Their dietary preference makes them significant decomposers in natural ecosystems, breaking down dead and decaying plant matter and returning nutrients to the soil. Their ability to digest cellulose is due to a symbiotic relationship with microorganisms, such as bacteria and protozoa, living within their digestive systems.
Beyond grass, termites feed on a wide array of cellulose-rich materials. Their diet commonly includes wood, whether it is sound, decaying, or in contact with soil. They also consume paper products like books and cardboard, as well as fabric, dead plants, leaves, and plant roots. Some termite species have even been observed feeding on humus or animal waste containing undigested plant material.