A Homeowner’s Guide To Evaluating And Understanding Termite Tubes
Termite Exterminator
When you discover a pest problem in your home, it can quickly become overwhelming. Termites, in particular, can cause serious structural damage to your home, with costs of repair quickly mounting up. As such, it’s crucial to identify any potential signs of termite activity early on and take action before the infestation spreads.
One way to get an idea if termites are active in your home is to look for tubes, tunnels and mounds that they have built along your walls and foundation. Known as ?termite tubes,? these are intricate structures that can help you understand and evaluate the size and severity of the infestation. If you have noticed these formations around your home, a more thorough inspection by a professional pest control technician is necessary.
This article outlines what you should know about termite tubes and provides helpful information on understanding and evaluating them, particularly if you’re dealing with an infestation in the town of Brookline, Massachusetts.
What Are Termite Tubes?
Termite tubes, also known as ?mud tubes,? are tunnels and mounds built by termites as they explore and feed on wood sources. Made up of soil and saliva, these impermeable tubes are designed to protect termites from potential predators and the elements.
Where Do You Find These Tubes?
Termite tubes can be found along your walls, in the soil around your home’s foundation, beneath window frames and along wooden furniture. You can also check floorboards, around pipes and vents, and in areas of your basement where the water table is high. In addition, these tubes may lead from your walls to a wood pile outside, and they could even be built downwards into the ground from a tree stump.
How Do You Identify Termite Tubes?
Termite tubes are usually made up of mud and can range in thickness from a few millimeters to up to one inch. They are semi-permanent structures that don’t easily break down in the environment. While termite tubes vary in shape and size, they tend to be straight and usually about the width of a pencil. They may be more or less visible from the outside, but they are usually visible in places where the termites gain access to the inside of your home.
What Are the Different Types of Termite Tubes?
Termite tubes tend to fall into two main types: drywood and subterranean. Drywood tubes are built around the wood of your home, commonly appearing just above the baseboard of interior walls and may be seen around windows and furniture. These tubes are usually gray in color and constructed in straight lines.
Subterranean tubes, on the other hand, are typically darker in color and humid to the touch. They commonly appear along the outside walls of your home, in crawl spaces and in the dirt surrounding your foundation. These tubes may also be larger in height than drywood tubes and constructed in arcs.
What Do the Different Types of Termite Tubes Mean?
The presence of termite tubes is a sign that your home is suffering from a termite infestation and it’s important to act quickly. Drywood tubes are often an indication of an active infestation, since these are typically where the termites have already ingested the wood. Subterranean tubes, on the other hand, may indicate the build-up of a population or may be indicative of an inactive infestation.
What Can I Do About My Termite Problem?
The best way to address a termite problem in your home is to get in touch with a professional pest control technician. The expert exterminators at F&W Pest Control offer a broad spectrum of MA pest control services, including general pest control services, wildlife removal and termite control. These professionals are trained to identify and target the exact type of termites in your home.
F&W’s integrated pest management approach (IPM) provides the professional quality you need with the environmentally responsible quality of a DIY approach. Trust the expert exterminators at F&W to get rid of your mosquitoes this season. Get a free quote to start debugging your space today.
In conclusion, termite tubes can often be a sign of an active infestation in your home and they can point you in the right direction for the type of termite you are dealing with. While the presence of these tubes may be concerning, take comfort in the fact that a professional pest control technician can help you identify and eliminate any infestations in your home or business. With the right advice and comprehensive treatment plan, you can rest assured that your home and family are safe from the threat of termites.
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Searching for an easy fix to your pest problems? Here at F&W Pest Control, our exterminators will treat an array of different pest issues including termites, bed bugs, mosquitoes, and more! Long-term protection is right at your reach with the help of our highly trained team of exterminators in the Greater Boston area. Don’t allow pests to take over your home, put your trust in our pest control services to ensure a pest-free home. With our help, you won’t have to spend any more free time implementing DIY extermination methods!
