Is Hemlock Siding Insect-Resistant?

Wood Siding

• Siding is the material used to cover the outside of a building. Although siding can be made from a wide range of materials, many people choose wood, as it lends a charming, old-fashioned look to a structure. Unfortunately, while wood is a natural and environmentally friendly building material, its lack of synthetic components tends to attract a number of pests.

Hemlock Wood

• Although it is commonly associated with the poisonous beverage used to execute Socrates, neither the wood nor the foliage of the hemlock tree is toxic. The small, perennial hemlock shrub bears the fatal fruit, not the tall, majestic evergreen. The two are not botanically related; they simply bear the same common name. The wood of the hemlock tree contains no naturally occurring lethal compounds; neither does the siding made from it.

Pest-resistant Wood

• Pines, such as hemlock, are not known for their powerful pest-repellent properties. They are mildly fragrant, and this does tend to ward off certain insects; however, determined pests, such as termites and wood-boring beetles, will not be dissuaded. Cedar is more naturally insect-repellent than hemlock, but even cedar cannot discourage all bugs — the wood is quite soft and is consequently a favorite of carpenter bees. Redwood is the most naturally insect-repellent of all woods. Unfortunately, redwood is prohibitively expensive as a siding material and can be difficult to obtain.

Wood Treatments

• To improve the pest-resistant qualities of hemlock siding, coat the surfaces with water sealants, synthetic resins, varnish or paint. Alternatively, grate 8 ounces of beeswax into a large jar and cover the shreds with 20 ounces of turpentine; shake the jar until the wax has dissolved, then spread the fluid over the siding with a soft cloth. The waxy coating will seal the wood and protect it from marauding insects.