Hey everyone!
I’ve been worried about termites lately after noticing some strange things around my house. Last week, I found tiny, pale insects near a window sill and some mud-like tubes along the foundation. I’m not sure if these are termites or something else. I’d love to hear from others who’ve dealt with this!
Just found mud tubes crawling up my basement wall, terrified! Are these 100% termites? Should I call an exterminator now?
@WoodGuardian Mud tubes are a classic sign! Break one open, if you see pale, wriggly bugs, they’re termites. Don’t wait, spraying water might scatter them. DM me for DIY tips before hiring a pro!
My floors feel spongy, but no mud tubes. @HistoricHomeGuy, did your sagging floors end up being termites? Or just rot?
Mine WAS termites! They left frass under the baseboards. Check for tiny holes in wood, ants don’t do that!
Tried orange oil on a small colony, worked for 6 months! But @ScienceGeek42, is catnip oil really safer for pets? My dog keeps sniffing the treated area…
Catnip oil’s non-toxic but still irritates termites! Dilute it with water and avoid direct pet contact. BTW, swarmers near your lights? That’s a sign they’re expanding!
Landlord insists these ‘mud tubes’ are ‘just dirt.’ @LegalEagle, can I force an inspection? My lease says nothing about pests…
Depends on your state! Most require landlords to treat infestations. Document everything, photos of tubes, emails. Small claims court if they refuse!
Used the ‘paper test’, termites chewed through newspaper overnight! @TermitePro_Steve, is boric acid spray better than vinegar? Need a stronger fix!
Boric acid kills on contact, but it won’t wipe out the colony. Mix it with sugar water as bait, they’ll carry it back to the nest. Works better than vinegar!