…And That’d Be a Termite Tube On the Ceiling
December 10, 2007 | By Kelley Koehler | Filed Under Repair Renovate Maintain
Good news and bad news.
Good News: I found a termite tube and took a picture of it to share with you.
Bad News: It’s in my own house.
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times: get a termite warranty and renew it every year. Luckily for me, I’ve followed my own advice. They’ll be out to treat on Wednesday at no cost to me.
I wonder how long it will be by Wednesday. I noticed this one yesterday afternoon and it’s nearly doubled in length since then. It’s fascinating and disgusting, all at the same time.
If you should find yourself in a similar situation – finding new evidence of a subterranean termite infestation, warranty or no – leave the tubes for the termite company so that they can see where to treat.
Termites are a fact of life around here. The question is WHEN not IF you will get them, especially if you never bother with a termite warranty. And, as proven here, sometimes you get them even if you do have the warranty. I just purchased this house a year ago, had it treated and got a warranty at that time. But if these little critters have been munching the wood in my attic since before I owned the house, they were probably not affected by the ground treatment. We had all new lumber and exposed timber treated as they were exposed during the remodel, but missed spraying down the attic area.
Wednesday, my termite guy will crawl up there, do a spot treat, and we’ll make sure the supports are still sturdy. My home inspector was up there before I bought it, and it all looked good then, so I imagine everything will be just fine. A little treatment, a little tube clean-up, and we’re good as new.
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There are three kinds of houses in our part of Arizona:
Those with termites, those that have had them, and those that will have them.
GROSS!!!!!!!
I’ve just learned something very important from your post about Termite Tubes:
Don’t eat dinner while reading real estate blogs! My mom and I are REALTORS in the Chicago area. We have termites here in Chicago, too, but I’ve never seen a “termite tube” up close, and I hope I never see one again! It’s icy and freezing here tonight. Want to swap markets for a few months? Nice to meet you, Liz
Good post about termites. I might add, if you see your neighbors getting treated for termites, that means the little guys will be heading toward your house next. In our neighborhood we got to watch the termite companies work their way down the street.
I’m enjoying your blog.
Thanks,
Pat – a good point!
Termites are, by their nature, in every yard. They will not head your way just because the neighbor’s house was treated. However, it is never a bad idea to have a yearly inspection as part of home maintenance. The problems your neighbor had that caused the infestation may exist in your home, too, such as faulty gutters, low areas that hold water, etc. Former Pest Control Company Owner
LoL
Thats crazy. I didnt realise they could that. Maybe they are different in the US to the ones here in Australia.
They tend to just stick to under the house and make tubes along there.
Not hanging from the ceiling.
Even though the termite company is coming out to do a spot treatment on your home this is more than likely a temporary fix and the house should be throughly reinspected for termites and possible moisture issues. To completely solve your termite problem the house should be completely retreated.
Note to self : If building new house in Tucson, use steel studs.
Hi Hugo – Dangerous? More damaging, I would say. Enough termite damage can weaken the structure. And if you ever go to sell it, you’ll have to disclose those tubes. It’s fairly typical for a buyer to demand – and receive – a termite treatment and repair to any heavily damaged wood at the seller’s expense.
I just found a 4 inch long tube hanging from my ceiling! YUCK!
I removed the ominous tube, with the full expectation that they’d attempt to rebuild, and sure enough, they build at a rate of approx. 1/2 inch per 5 hours. Of course I was told AFTERWARDS not to remove the tube, but I don’t want that thing falling off my ceiling and bugs crawling around in my house. There isn’t a trace of any tunnels or tubes outside going up my wall, garage area, nothing – just this horrid tube hanging from my ceiling. I have a feeling that one of my neighbors got termite treated, and they crawled on over to my house – we have shared walls.
I live in Phoenix, AZ, and just had the front of my house “spot” treated – I should have had them hit up the whole place! FYI: Don’t leave cardboard boxes up against any part of your house or garage – for some reason, it attracts termites too.
Now my HOA’s new management company won’t give me the name of the new termite place that is supposed to service our HOA because “They have to call you back and initiate the call in order for the warranty to pay for it.” What the *$&%? Don’t know what’s worse – the HOA management company or the termites…