If you’ve found pencil-like formations on a ceiling in your home, garage, or any other wood structure on your property, odds are they are termite tubes. Termites go with the territory in the southwestern deserts, and termites like your home as much as you do. Their tubes are a telltale sign they’re in the attic or between one floor and another.
Where You’ll Find Termite Tubes
The two dominant species of termites in the Arizona desert are subterranean and drywood. The former needs to be in damp to moist environments and before they infest your home, they live in the soil. Drywood termites don’t require constant moisture and do not make mud tubes because they fly to scout for their next home.
Subterranean termites build termite tubes or tunnels to locate a steady source of food, which is anything that has cellulose inside it. Cellulose is found in materials like structural wood, furniture, drywall, cabinets, cardboard, cellulose insulation, and paper. Once established in a location, both drywood and subterranean types create termite tubes as they digest their food.
Termite tubes are a sure sign you need a termite inspection by a qualified professional like Budget Brothers Termite. When the tubes are on the ceiling, chances are they have invaded the attic where they could be eating away at the rafters, roof deck, joists, and floor.
What Termite Tubes Look Like
Termite tubes have an unmistakable appearance. They’re usually the same color as the native Arizona soil and are about the same diameter as wide pencil. Its texture is gritty and shape slightly irregular, but for the most part, it extends in a straight line.
You can tell the difference between a new tunnel and old one by breaking off a small section and looking for moisture. If it’s a fresh tunnel, it will be somewhat moist. Old, unused tunnels crumble easily and are very dry. You can also wait a few days to see if it gets rebuilt, a sure sign you need a termite inspection.
Sometimes the termite tubes appear in the yard or along the foundation. These tubes could indicate the termites are sending scouts to your home as a possible food source.
What Termites Look Like
Since they live above ground, it’s more likely you’ll see more drywood termites. Termites look like large flying ants. They’re brown to dark brown in color with four wings. They tend to swarm after a heavy rain especially in the spring and summer. You may find remnants of their exoskeletons on spider webs, around window screens or exterior doors.
Subterranean termites live underground and they’re white to beige. If you see termite tubes around vegetation, consider digging up some of the soil near these tubes to find them. They look like large pale ants with straight antenna and some have wings.
Controlling and eliminating termites is not a do-it-yourself project, especially when you have seen termite tubes inside your home. The damage the insects do can be extensive and expensive to repair.
Termites hide in the walls, the spaces between floors, and in the attic, all areas where it’s difficult, if not impossible, for the average homeowner to reach. At Budget Brothers Termite & Pest, we know how to judge the extent of an infestation and precisely how to stop it.
If you’ve found something that looks like termite tubes in or around your home, contact us. We’re here to keep your home free from these invasive and highly destructive pests in the greater Phoenix area.