do termites eat hay

ugabulldog · #1 05/29/14, 06:22 AM

I was planning on storing hay under a lean to next to my shop. Will this create a potential termite problem?

SouthGAMan · #2 05/29/14, 06:37 AM

I sometimes have had some stored under the shelter that is attached to my metal shop and have never had an issue here in South Georgia. But then again it is seldom under there for more than about 4-6 weeks. So I cannot totally answer your question just relay my own personal experience.

Callieslamb · #3 05/29/14, 09:21 AM

If they didn't, wouldn't that be a problem in every barn out there?

SteveD(TX) · #4 05/29/14, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ugabulldog

I was planning on storing hay under a lean to next to my shop. Will this create a potential termite problem?

As long as it stays dry, it should be OK. I doubt termites would eat it but it MIGHT cover up a potential termite problem if you get them.

Paumon · #5 05/29/14, 02:44 PM

do termites eat hay?

Yes. Hay has fiberous cellulose and that is what termites eat.

where I want to · #6 05/29/14, 02:50 PM

I have never seen termites in hay- around here we have mostly damp wood termites- clouds of them at times. Hay is dry.
But the hay might just give you an invasion of mice or rats, depending on the nature of the hay. Taking precautions against that is important.

Tabitha · #7 05/29/14, 08:45 PM

They do not eat hay and straw. One of the advantages of strawbale construction.

wogglebug · #8 05/30/14, 05:56 PM

Termites DO eat straw and hay, but only if it's moist.

Keep it off the ground, keep it bone dry, make sure whatever you have holding it off the ground is AND STAYS bone dry, and you won't have any trouble from termites.

Mice, on the other hand, are another matter.
Keep hay or straw next to your dwelling, and it WILL become the dwelling place for rodents as well; and of course, where there is food for them, you'll get snakes.