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Mud tubesUnlike ants, termites do not roam around on the ground surface or outside in the open. They'll either tunnel through the soil or into timber (or other stuff ) or else travel inside pencil-size (or larger)"mud tubes" they assemble from soil, wood contaminants and other materials. You will find these tubes on foundation walls, floor joists or other areas of the house.

Break open the tubes to determine if termites are still active. An empty tube doesn't necessarily mean that termites are gonethey may have simply abandoned this particular tunnel. Termites often rebuild damaged tubes, which can be another indication of current action. 'Old' tubes are sterile and crumble easily, leaving behind"etching" on the surface which may be visible for years (an indication that a home had termite activity at some time).

Tubes which are found on ceilings or on upper levels of a building may indicate that you have an aboveground ("airborne") infestation, i.e., the termite colony actually resides in the building and the termites are traveling from the ground. Mud tubes built through an aboveground colony normally contain substances other than soil, e.g., wood and sheet rock or whatever the termites are feeding on.

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In such situations, a thorough inspection may necessitate elimination of siding or interior wallboards, etc.. More importantly for you, these aboveground infestations cannot be controlled with the customary soil treatment (see below) and are typically deducted from a termite contract warranty. In such situations, finding and correcting the moisture problem is the very first step to eliminating the termites. .

We tend to think about termites as feeding/injuring timber only. Termites really feed on almost anything that contains cellulose, the main component of wood, including wood paneling, paper products, cardboard boxes, art canvases, the paper covering of sheet rock, carpeting, etc.. While foraging and feeding, they could tunnel through non-cellulosic materials, such as plastic and foamboard.

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In reality, the amount of harm that termites cause depends on many aspects. In regions with cold winter temperatures, termite activity (and feeding) often declines, but does not necessarily stop. If the termites are well-protected from colder temperatures (e.g., underneath a slab), then action may continue year-round. From a practical standpoint, severe termite damage generally takes about 3-8 decades. .

There is no accurate method for determining the era of recently discovered harm. You need some reference point, i.e., some point in time when it was known there was no damage to this particular wood. This can be one reason why annual inspections (and keeping your records of these inspections) are important. .

NOTE: These inspections are not a guarantee that you check do not have termites or harm in areas that are not covered or not readily seen, such as inside walls. On the other hand, the inspections can reveal conditions that may suggest that damage does exist and further investigation is needed.

In case you've got a termite protection contract, contact the pest control company immediately and arrange for them to check out the problem. If you do not own a termite contract, call 2-3 (or more) companies and have every one inspect your house and provide you with the specifics of their findings and any recommendations for a course of action to fix any termite problems they found.

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Termites do not cause significant harm in a short period of time, so spending a couple of added days or even a couple weeks will not make any actual difference in terms just how much damage occurs. .

Can there be damage that should be repaired or at least examined by a contractor or engineer before control steps are performed

Only spraying swarmers or the surface of available infested wood may kill the termites that you see now, but it does not stop the infestation nor does it protect your home from future attacks by termites. The most common type of termite treatment involves a"trench and treat" where a liquid insecticide ("termiticide") is placed on the soil surrounding crucial areas of your residence.

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The dirt is trenched 6" deep and approximately 4-6" wide. For houses with crawlspaces, the soil along the interior foundation wall must be treated within 4 feet of identified signs of termite activity. In some cases, the soil around supports (for example, piers) underneath the home are also treated.

When applied correctly, this treatment creates a continuous chemical barrier which should prevent termites from reaching the foundation and piers in your house. .

Concrete slabs which attach to the house, for example, a garage floor, or the slab of an earth-filled porch.