Specimen · Termites
Did you know?
Those "gamu-gamo" swarming around the light after rain may be winged termites leaving a mature colony to start new ones — an early warning of an infestation nearby.
Signs to look for
- Pencil-thin mud tubes on walls, posts and foundations
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped, or paint that bubbles
- Piles of discarded wings near windows and lights
- Doors and jambs that suddenly stick
Why it matters
- Termites cause about 10% of structural damage every year
- They also eat paper, books, carpets, clothes and boxes in storage
- A queen can live 15 to 30 years, laying hundreds of eggs a day
Where they hide
- Soil under the house
- Door and window jambs
- Cabinets, shelves and ceilings
- Stored boxes and books
What you can do today
- Keep firewood, lumber and boxes off the ground and away from walls
- Fix leaks — damp wood draws termites
- Do not spray mud tubes: it scatters the colony and hides the trail from the inspector