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A Guide On Handling Termite Mud Tubes At Home

Termites. Just saying the word causes shivers down the spine of even the hardiest of homeowners. They may be silent and small, but termites can wreak havoc on your home in no time. Plus, termites know when to dig your walls.

If you suspect or have seen evidence of subterranean insects in your home, do not panic! We are here to help.

Termite mud tubes are an essential factor that contributes to termite infestation. A trusted Glendale termite control company will help you know more about mud tubes so you can know what to do when you see them.

What are Termites Mud Tubes For?

Termites mud tubes work the same way subway tunnels do. They are a way of transportation for termites. However, mud tubes offer other benefits like shelter and protection against predators.

Mud tubes also help termites keep humidity in so they can travel freely.

How Do Termites Build Their Mud Tubes?

Mud tubes are very small. Their size is roughly similar to the diameter of a pen, so most of them are no more than 12 inches in length.

Termites use small pieces of soil, wood, dirt, and mud and mix them with their saliva and droppings to build the tunnels. Termites place this mixture onto a surface and repeat the same process until they finish a well-covered tunnel.

Colonies can build these tubes to the ground or in exploration. This way, they can travel from their territory to the area they are infesting.

Mud tubes are not easy to see at first sight. Most people suspect them only by noticing small holes in the walls, but those holes aren’t always termite tunnels.

Contacting a reliable Gilbert termite and pest control company is always the best to find out if you have termite tunnels at home.

How Much Time Do Termites Need To Build Their Tunnels?

Termites do not stop working as long as they have access to food and water. They can finish basic mud tubes within a few days, although they may need many weeks to strengthen and adapt for regular use. Termites may take less time to create mud tubes in pre-existing materials like concrete cracks and rotten wood.

Termites build weak tubes to explore the location first. If they notice the area is useless, they seal the tunnels. Nonetheless, if they find the area valuable due to crucial resources (such as water and food), they start using these basic tubes to create and reinforce a tube network. It will help them survey the area further.

The complete tunnel network for the colony can take many years to build. Nonetheless, the longer they take, the stronger the tunnel network will be.

If you see termite tubes at home, you probably have these invasive pests. They may have been active there for at least a year (enough time to grow the colony and build a nest).

Contact a Queen Creek termite and pest control technician to get rid of these creatures.

What To Do When You Find Termites Mud Tubes at Home

Termite mud tubes are quite common in the basement or along the foundation of the house. However, most homeowners cannot recognize them when they see them.

These tubes are fragile, so any wild animal passing by can destroy them. But, in sheltered areas like the basement, termite tubes can last a lot of years after these pests are exterminated.

Some homeowners think they must destroy the tunnels to prevent termite infestations. Nevertheless, this technique does not always work. Worse yet, termite infestations can get out of control.

Regardless of whether the tubs you see are active or not, you should not panic. The best you can do is to call in a professional to inspect the area and diagnose your situation.

We recommend you investigate the area if you see brown stripes. Check whether termites live there or not. This will help you have a better idea of your situation, but remember that you may have a termite presence even if the tunnel appears empty.

If you think the mud tunnels are new, knock them down and wait some minutes to see if termites come out.

A Chandler termite and pest control technician must inspect the tunnels, so do not break the mud lines completely!

Contact a Professional

Call a top-rated termite control company, such as Varsity Termite & Pest Control, to eradicate termite infestation. We will offer a full inspection of your house to see exactly what the tunnels are and what solution you need. Our experts will be happy to help you!