When you find a termite tube, call the experts

Here in Arizona, homeowners and businesses have to contend with a variety of common pests. Few though, if any, represent more of a threat to your property than subterranean termites. And the distressing sight of a termite tube!

Like their wood-dwelling counterparts in other areas of the country, subterranean termites feast on the wooden structure of your home or business facility. They cause significant damage over time. What sets subterranean termites apart is that they do not actually live within the wood itself. Instead, they make their homes underground near the building they use for food.

To identify subterranean termite activity, watch out for termite tubes along the base of your property. Here’s what to look for and what to do if you find a termite tube.

Identifying Subterranean Termites and the Termite Tube

To get from their underground colonies to the wood that makes up the structure of your property, subterranean termites construct mud tubes. These serve to protect the termites from predators as they make their way back and forth each day. Fortunately for you, these termite tubes are easily recognizable. So, you can quickly identify a possible termite infestation before it becomes a major problem.

To find termite tubes, inspect the exterior of your property. Look along the base of the structure. If you see vertical lines of mud reaching from the ground up the side of your home or business, this is likely a termite tube. In general, these tubes are about the width of a standard pencil. But it is possible for them to be larger or smaller.

Making Sure a Termite Tube Is Active

Your next step is to determine whether a termite colony is active in that area. In some cases, subterranean termites abandon their colonies to move on to another location. They leave their mud tubes intact.

To check the termite tube for activity, knock off a bit of the center of the tube, leaving the top and bottom alone. Wait a few days. Then check back to see whether the tube has been repaired. If the missing segment has been filled back in, the termite colony is still present and active. If the termite tube remains broken, it is likely that the colony has moved on.

However, to be safe, call Budget Brothers Termite & Pest Elimination to verify whether or not you have a subterranean termite problem. When it comes to termites, you don’t want to delay or be unsure. It can mean thousands more in repairs every day you wait.

Calling in the Professionals

While it can be tempting to attempt to get rid of the termites on your own, this could be a costly mistake. Termites are notoriously challenging to eradicate, often simply moving from one location to another on the same property. Over time, termite damage can weaken the structure of your home or business, resulting in substantial repair costs. Because of this, it is best to leave this difficult task to a termite expert, like those here at Budget Brothers Termite & Pest Elimination.

We ensure the job is done right. When we arrive at your property, we’ll conduct a thorough inspection to identify any areas of possible termite activity. We can then begin to treat the ground around your home or business. As the termites move back and forth between the colony and your home or business, they’ll carry the materials with them, eliminating the rest of the colony in the process.

Contact Us

We would be more than happy to explain the subterranean termite treatment process to you in greater detail so you know exactly what to expect. Our team is always here to answer your questions about a termite tube and more! We aim to give you greater peace of mind.

Reach out today to schedule an appointment for a free pest inspection for your Arizona home or business. We’ll identify any active termite tubes on your property and get rid of the unwanted and destructive insects as quickly as possible.