What type of timber do old house borers favor?

Old house borers are particularly fond of seasoned wood, which is wood that has been dried and has had some time to age. This preference is primarily due to the fact that seasoned wood is softer and more easily penetrable than freshly cut lumber, which often contains higher moisture content and is still quite dense. The life cycle of the old house borer involves laying eggs in the wood, and the larvae require wood that is easy to bore into for feeding and development. Seasoned wood provides the right combination of softness and accessibility that the larvae need to thrive.

While freshly cut lumber is often too moist and consists of living tree cells, plywood is engineered wood and not typically a natural food source for old house borers. Softwoods might be a part of their diet, but their broader preference leans toward seasoned wood overall. Hence, the correct answer reflects the specific type of timber most appealing to these pests.