Termites are an exceptionally destructive pest. A colony can quickly threaten the overall integrity of your home, causing significant structural damage. One of the tell-tale signs of an infestation is the presence of termite tubes, thin tunnels of mud serving as a pathway from the insect colony to their food source.
But, just what are termite tubes, and how do you go about finding them and dealing with them? In this blog post, we’ll explore the world of termites and provide you with some tips for protecting your home. If you suspect that your home has termites, call KY-KO Pest Prevention for a free termite inspection here in the Valley.
What are termite tubes?
Termites instinctively provide themselves with shelter while they work, in order to protect themselves and gain sustenance for their colony while mitigating risks. There are several reasons why they build these practical structures out of saliva, waste, and nearby dirt.
- To avoid natural hunters
- To maintain moisture levels by remaining in soil
- To obtain food in otherwise difficult to reach areas
Moisture is a must for subterranean pests like termites and being hidden from predators is a helpful benefit of using the tubes for foraging for food. Bypassing manmade obstacles is made much easier by crafting the tunnels to go over or around anything standing between them and the wood they require for consumption.
Tubes don’t just adhere to solid surfaces like wood beams or the foundation of your home. Termite tubes are surprisingly strong and can actually be free-standing. Termites will often use free-standing tubes to get to out-of-reach wood beams in your attic.
Can I just remove the tubes?
If termite tubes are dry and crumble on contact, then it is possible that that the insects have moved on. However, this is far from a guarantee. Dried-out tubes may simply indicate that the termites used that tube as a point-of-entry, and are now simply elsewhere inside your home.
Active tunnels will still have busy termites present, or at the very least still be damp. Removing any or all parts of a termite tube will not eradicate the threat. Keep in mind that the tunnels only serve as an outward symptom of a much larger issue beneath the surface.
Here’s the bottom-line: when you see termite tubes, that’s the time to call in the experts here at KY-KO Pest Prevention. Dry or not, tubes indicate termite activity of some kind, and termites are fond of re-colonizing—even if all the former colonists are dead or gone. You’ll need to take an active stand in defending your home against these invaders.
How should I address the problem?
Regardless of whether the tunnels are in active use or not, if you discover termite tubes around your house, the best thing you can do is call in a professional to inspect and diagnose the situation. Here in the Valley, those professionals are found right here at KY-KO Pest Prevention! Contact us today to schedule your free termite inspection.