If you know that bamboo is a type of grass, you may wonder if it resists termites, infamous for chewing their way into building foundations, rafters, studs and joists. ... The simple explanation is that termites eat cellulose. All woody plants including bamboo, a woody grass, contain cellulose.

Are termites attracted to bamboo?

While it is often believed that bamboo is termite proof, the inner portions of raw bamboo culms contain cellulose fibers (starches and sugars) that attract insects, including termites. Once these fibers are removed, the bamboo is no longer appealing to termites.

What wood do termites not eat?

Termites don't eat Redwood, Brazilian Jatoba, Walnut, Mahogany, Teak, and Cypress. These woods are naturally resistant to termites. Research has shown that these woods repel the termites and kill 75 % of the termites that attack them.