Whats the best place to search for termites and how do you know if you have them?
Question:I found several small bugs in my bath tub after coming home from vacation and have no idea what they may be. I have not previously noticed any bugs in my house besides a few occasional spiders.
Answers:
IDK? my bff Jill?
Termites leave small pebbles of wood. You find piles of them by and around windows. They (pebbles) can also be found around base boards.
Look anywhere you have wood, usually darker places under a house or flooring. We've gotten huge swarms at my house and believe me, you DON'T want that to happen. Try looking at www.nobugs.com/termites/biolog... to see what they look like.
Here is a link to a site that describes in detail all you need to know about termites. Notice the photos that show what a termite tunnel looks like and you can begin your search around the outside of the house.
Doing a termite inspection is fairly easy. It depends on how your house is constructed. If you have a crawlspace or basement, do the following: For a crawlspace beneath the house: You'll need to wear old clothes and take a good flashlight. Look for mud-tubes on any of the concrete block piers beneath the house. Mud-tubes are the way a termite travels (they don't like light) so they construct a tunnel of mud and travel that way. If you have a basement, look for the mud-tubes on the outside foundation wall. Also - take an awl and poke the sill plate around the entire perimeter of the basement. If termites are in the sill plate, the awl will penetrate very easily and you'll be able to crumble the wood with the awl. By the way, the sill plate is the wood that sits directly on top of the concrete block foundation. If you have a house that's constructed on a concrete slab, finding termites can be a challenge. To eliminate their entry, rake back any mulch etc. that you have outside the house 2 feet away from the house, this eliminates their wood munching needs. Also, make sure that your downspouts empty away from the foundation by extending the downspouts minimally 2 feet away from the foundation. This gets rid of the moisture that can attract them.
Home inspectors do not always find termites.Same with WDO inspectors.They inspect what"is visible at the time of inspection" As far as doing it yourself,Don't!There are products available but without the training and application methods available for professionals you will be wasting you time and money example 4 gallons finished termiticide per 10 linear feet per foot of depth at the base of the footer and voids?How could you do it without the proper rig?Inspection methods vary on the type of construction.As far as droppings,only drywood termites will leave those and not always where you can find them.I agree with the others with clearing any conducive conditions but there are many other ways to get in without being visible.Call a pro for a free inspection.Most likely the bugs in your tub are not termites but have an inspection either way.
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