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Mud tubesUnlike ants, termites do not ramble around on the ground surface or outside in the open. They will either tunnel through the soil or into wood (or other stuff ) or else traveling inside pencil-size (or larger)"sand tubes" they build from dirt, wood contaminants and other substances. You will find these tubes on foundation walls, floor joists or different areas of the house.

Split open the tubes to see if termites are still active. An empty tube doesn't necessarily mean that termites are gone; they might have just abandoned this specific tunnel. Termites often rebuild damaged tubes, and it can be another indication of current activity. 'Old' tubes are sterile and crumble easily, leaving behind"etching" on the surface which could be visible for decades (an indication that a home had termite activity at some time).

Tubes that are found on ceilings or on top levels of a building may indicate you have an aboveground ("airborne") infestation, i.e., the termite colony really resides in the building and the termites are traveling from the ground. Mud tubes built by an aboveground colony normally contain materials other than soil, e.g., wood and sheet rock or anything 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 using the customary soil treatment (see below) and therefore are typically excluded by a termite contract warranty. In such situations, finding and correcting the moisture problem is the first step to eliminating the termites. .

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

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

There is no accurate way of determining the era of recently found damage. You need some reference point, i.e., some point in time when it was known that there was no harm to this specific wood. That can be one reason why annual inspections (and keeping your records of those inspections) are important. .

NOTE: All these inspections are not a guarantee that you do not have termites or harm in areas which are not covered or not easily seen, such as inside walls. However, the inspections can reveal conditions that might suggest that damage does exist and further investigation is needed.

If you have a termite protection contract, contact the pest control company immediately and arrange for them to check out the problem. If you do not have a termite contract, call 2-3 (or more) companies and have every one inspect your house and offer you the specifics of their findings and any recommendations for a plan of Recommended Site action to correct any termite problems that they found.

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Termites do not cause significant damage in a brief period of time, so spending a few extra days or even a few weeks will not make any real difference in terms how much damage happens. .

Can there be harm 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 accessible infested wood can kill the termites which you see now, but it does not stop the infestation nor does it shield your home from future attacks by termites. The most common type of termite treatment involves a"trench and treat" in which a liquid insecticide ("termiticide") is placed on the soil surrounding crucial areas of your house.

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The soil is trenched 6" deep and about 4-6" wide. For homes with crawlspaces, the soil along the interior foundation wall has to be treated within 4 ft site web of identified signs of termite activity. In some circumstances, the soil around supports (such as piers) underneath the house can also be treated.

When implemented correctly, this treatment forms a continuous chemical barrier that should prevent termites from reaching the foundation and piers in your house. .

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