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Mud tubesUnlike ants, termites do not ramble around on the soil surface or outside in the open. They'll either tunnel through the soil or into timber (or other material) or else travel inside pencil-size (or larger)"sand tubes" they build from soil, wood particles and other materials. You will find these tubes on foundation walls, floor joists or different parts of the home.
Tubes which are found on ceilings or on upper levels of a building may indicate you have an aboveground ("aerial") infestation, i.e., the termite colony actually resides in the building and the termites are traveling from the soil. Mud tubes constructed through an aboveground colony usually contain materials other than dirt, e.g., wood and sheet rock or whatever the termites are feeding on.
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In such situations, a comprehensive inspection may necessitate removal of siding or interior wallboards, etc.. More importantly for you, these aboveground infestations cannot be controlled with the usual soil treatment (see below) and therefore are generally deducted 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 of termites as feeding/injuring wood only. Termites actually feed on virtually anything which 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 reality, the amount of harm that termites cause depends on many factors. In areas with cold winter temperatures, termite activity (and feeding) often declines, but does not necessarily cease. When the termites check out this site are well-protected from colder temperatures (e.g., underneath a slab), then activity might continue year-round. From a practical standpoint, serious termite damage usually takes approximately 3-8 decades. .
There is no accurate method for determining the era of recently found damage. You need some reference more point, i.e., some point in time when it was known there was no damage to this specific wood. This is 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 that are not insured or not easily seen, such as inside walls. However, the inspections can reveal conditions that may suggest that harm does exist and further investigation is needed.
If you've got a termite protection contract, contact the pest control company immediately and arrange for them to take a look at the problem. Should you not have a termite contract, telephone 2-3 (or more) companies and have each one inspect your home and offer you the details of their findings and any recommendations for a plan of action to correct any termite conditions they found.
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Termites do not cause significant harm in a brief period of time, so spending a few extra days or even a couple weeks find more information will not make any real difference in terms how much damage occurs. .
Can there be damage That Needs to Be repaired or at least examined by a contractor or engineer before control measures are performed
Only spraying swarmers or the surface of accessible infested wood may kill the termites which you see now, but it does not stop the infestation nor does it protect your home from future attacks . The most common type of termite treatment involves a"trench and cure" 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 approximately 4-6" wide. For houses with crawlspaces, the soil along the interior foundation wall has to be treated within 4 feet 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 creates a continuous chemical barrier that should prevent termites from reaching the foundation and piers in your residence. .
Concrete slabs that attach to the house, as an instance, a garage floor, or the slab of an earth-filled porch.