What Are Termite Tubes & What To Do About Them

Safeguarding your home against termite colonies can be a challenge. They can wreak havoc unnoticed, consuming the wood from the inside out to damage the structural stability of your home. 

These subterranean devils build shelter tubes, also called termite mud tunnels, are made up of feces, saliva, mud, and debris. These off-putting termite tubes are pathways to connect with food sources and provide safety from open air. We present a spotting guide to indicate the mysterious presence of these destructive creatures. Learning the tell-tale signs of termite infestations will boost your fight against their dangerous nuisance.

Termite Tubes: What to Know

These eusocial creatures are technicians at work. Humans build subway tunnels for transportation, while termites build termite tunnels for similar reasons. Termites also use them for protection against intrusive predators. Their relentless energy hardly takes any time to make these tubes. As a result, these tube networks can expand rapidly with access to steady food and moisture.

Type of Mud Tubes

Subterranean termites build four types of structures, each of which has a different role for the colony. They include exploratory, working, swarm, and drop termite tubes. Read on to find out the functions of these different passageways. 

• Exploratory Mud Tubes: Termites use these lengthy networks to explore for food. Often the termites abandon the exploratory tubes to move on to the next food source.
• Working Termite Tubes: These highways tubes, sometimes called swarm castles, have the most significant utility for the colony. They provide logistic support and carry millions of workers to and fro with food or material to construct new tubes towards new food sources.
• Swarm Termite Tubes: These tubes are temporary camps that host the delicate swarmers before they leave the colony to establish new ones.  
• Drop Termite Tubes: Similar to stalagmites (mounds) in the cave, these drop tubes re-establish the connection between working tubes and the ground.

Do not break open a termite mud tunnel if you find one in your habitat. The best approach would be to seek help from termite professionals like Budget Brothers.

FAQ

What do termite tubes look like? Are they harmful? How to handle them, and how extensive can the damage be? These are the apparent queries in the minds of homeowners. Scroll through to get valuable insights on your doubts.

Termite tubes are often the first sign of termite activity. These tubes may crack easily if scrapped, but the stains left are tough to cover up. While the presence of a termite tube may not be a problem by itself, it indicates termite infestation in your habitat. Contamination and health-related problems like skin allergy and fungal infections are associated with these unwarranted menaces.

Try to avoid destroying a termite tube on your own. A calculative approach specifically focused on the level of infestation and condition of the property is required in all cases. The deceptive nature of damage demands a highly qualified and professional expert to take charge of the situation.

What do termite mud tubes look like?

Search your premises for these straw-sized wide, brown-colored passageways, especially around foundations and exterior walls. Their simplistic exteriors house a complex network of tunnels, galleries, and chambers. Keep an eye out for the earth-to-wood contact points. In many cases, they can be inside the walls, exposed floor beams, adjoining slabs or edges, foundation cracks or splinters, and crawl spaces underneath the baseboards. Few of them can even chew through your electric wires. They target damp areas, making routinely wet places like kitchen sinks, cabinets, and bathtubs extremely vulnerable.

What is a termite mud tube?

Termite mud tubes are soil-to-source expressways built by these classified destroyers. A householder’s nightmare they are the confirmation of a termite infestation at your address. They spread like veins and can lead to irreversible damage if not treated efficiently.

What should you do if you find termite mud tubes?

A termite mud tube is bad news. Most homeowners may need more awareness to recognize it. They can make the situation worse by attempting to handle the termite menace on their own. Please do not try to knock them down or wipe off the mud lines in a panic. Calling a trusted expert may be the best idea. Get a thorough inspection and ask for the best solutions to completely wipe out the hazard.

The Dangers of Termite Tubes

Termite mud tubes are the primary factor that supplements termite infestation. These lifelines are crucial to the existence of the termite colony. Even a tiny subterranean colony can cause large-scale damage. The incognito pests work round the clock to ruin your property and render significant financial losses.  

Damage From Termite Tubes

Termites aren’t venomous, and they don’t carry pathogens. But does that mean they are not dangerous? They may not directly impact your health, but they threaten your building. They can cause substantial structural issues if neglected. So, do not take this hazard lightly. It may soon become expensive and extensive to handle.

Budget Brothers: One-Stop-Shop Extermination

It would be wise to keep the termite tube intact if you notice one. An expert exterminator will use it to track and devise an elimination plan for these pests. However, be proactive to avoid such a situation. Our intelligent experts at Budget Brothers can offer you a practical, long-term, and eco-friendly solution to fit your budget.

Budget Brothers Termite & Pest Elimination is determined to protect your home and property from termites. Our company has been an Arizona leader in pest control for over 25 years, thanks to a team of trained and experienced professionals. Contact us for fast, friendly, and safe termite extermination.