Subterranean termites and termite tubes

There are two types of termites in Arizona that can damage your home. One of the most common in Arizona is the subterranean termite. These termites can quickly infest and begin eating away at your home from the ground up. They leave behind termite tubes which they use to protect themselves as they travel termite tubes coming in all over. Fortunately, there is help available if you suspect that subterranean termite tubes and their makers are a risk to your home.

Termites: Common in Arizona

The desert heat and dryness that characterizes most of Arizona is potentially harmful to many species of insect. However, beneath the surface, the heat is mitigated and moisture is easier to find. This is an environment conducive to subterranean termites, which are an extremely common pest in this region. One unfortunate joke that is told in Arizona is that there are only two types of homes in the state: those that have termites, and those that are going to get termites. Because the threat is so real, it is important you recognize the signs and take corrective action as quickly as you can.

What Subterranean Termites Look Like

Termite tubes are one telltale sign of termite infestation, but subterranean termites are distinct in several ways. Like all termites, they have thicker waists than ants, with no visible waistline. As well, their antennae are straight and their wings are all the same length. Further, subterranean termites are pale yellowish brown in most cases, with a rectangle-shaped head and a flat body. The entire termite is only .375 inch in length. While their heads are the widest part of this type of termite, the rest of the body is very close in size.

Termite Tubes: Entering Your Home

Unlike drywood termites, the second most common type in Arizona, the subterranean termite uses termite tubes to enter your home. The use of termite tubes to access your home is partially due to the fact that termites require moisture to survive, and they need to adapt to Arizona’s above-ground climate in order to live in this environment. The termite tubes are filled with mud made from dirt and saliva. Moisture is crucial to termite existence and these tubes need to be structurally stable to be usable.

Where Termite Tubes Likely Are

Termite tubes can be virtually anywhere, though they naturally tend to be located lower to the ground. While drywood termites are the type to “kick out” feces and other waste, subterranean termites are easier to locate because they tend to spread in a more visible and predictable pattern. Often, termite tubes or mud tubes will seem like a length of mud that seems as if it had flowed downward. You may even see piles in a corner. As well, termite tubes may be seen hanging from a piece of wood or running across brick. Looking for termite tubes around your home is your best bet for identifying their presence.

Getting the Help You Need

Attempting to defeat termites on your own can be daunting. It is a job best left to the professionals at Budget Brothers Termite. If you suspect your home may have termites, get in touch with Budget Brothers Termite for an inspection. It is always wise to be wary of this problem and proactively seeking the solution before termites become an immediate threat to the structure of your home.