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Termites are different in Arizona.

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The termites in Arizona act a bit different than the East Coast relatives, typically the Eastern Subterranean termites do damage without becoming visible. With that being said, nothing is certain and always simple, termites are termites and will often do what they want to do, not according to the book. The damage eventually becomes noticeable and then that is where it becomes a horror story. The Western Subterranean termites will make mud tubes over the foundation or make little tubes in the drywood or make little exit type holes. The Eastern Sub’s will make exit holes but in relation to swarming.

The Western Sub’s also make down tubes quite often, as the picture below shows. I have actually seen tubes over 5 foot long stretching almost back to the garage floor.

If you find signs, just call a Pest Management Professional and do some checking with the BBB or a referral from a friend (Kudzu).

Reader photo’s – termites in Arizona

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Gnathamitermes perplexus, these are crust-building subterranean desert termites, they feed on grass, dried plant parts and weathered outer surfaces of woody tissues of all kinds. They may also feed on old fences and occasionally drywall paper.

Usually not to worry about any effects to any trees or bushes, termites eat dead wood. So not to worry!

Thanks to Maura for taking the pictures.

Termites are active in Arizona.

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The first picture is at the tire stop and the termites decided to just continue right on to the wall. The 3rd picture is my favorite, it appears someone decided to paint right over the tube. Maybe they were trying to hide it from the dreaded Termite Inspector (Me), by the way that doesn’t work.

WOW, what’s up with all the rain?

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I visit a website http://www.rainlog.org and it is amazing at what you can find. Notice this little rainfall day we had in Arizona on November 22, 2013 – notice 2.70 inches at the 101 and Thunderbird Road area. Click on the map and see if you can find this area.

Termites and bugs in general all need water, but termites in Arizona become active after rainfall activity. The other reason for sharing this information is that this website is good for every area in the U.S. Another reason to use this site, is after a treatment for scorpions and you can judge effectiveness of the pesticide you are using.

Most destructive insect?

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I’ll would bet that most people would say termites but not so, it turns out to be the desert locust. This locust you may recall is the one from the Bible and can eat its own weight in food a day. It is estimated that a large swarm could eat 20,000 tons of grain and vegetation per day. (“The Handy Biology Answer Book”)

In the U.S. I’m still betting on the termite, estmates suggest over 5 billon in damage each year. Termites are in search of food and when they find it they will eat and eat. 24/7/365 that is their schedule and they won’t waiver unless the building is under water.

What can you do to discourage termites from finding your home as a food source:

Check water drip and irrigation systems to make sure they are working properly.
Don’t plant plants or trees to close to the foundation of your home.
Don’t allow stucco to come in contact with dirt or stone, you need to see the foundation.
If you noticed any wood in the ground left over after construction, remove it.
Don’t stack wood against the home.

PPMA King/Queen Sub-termites

What won’t termites eat?

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Termites don’t eat concrete or plastics, but they will build over it and many other products. There was a few years ago some type of foam which was filled with concrete and it always worried me as in my opinion it was just a space in which they could build a tube.

Garages are well known for termite activity, I guess when build it is the last concrete poured and who knows want went on after the pretreatment. That story for another day, but I find termites in garages often and this is not always what I find but it is interesting. Since the expansion joint is visible in the garage, this is what you look for when performing a termite inspection. Mud tubes or tunnels coming up the foundation wall into the structure, are often visible unless you have storage against the walls which most people do. So the lesson here is not to obstruct the expansion joint, better said than done since the garage is the catch all of our lives.

I recommend a yearly inspection which is free from ProBest unless it is for a sale of a home or business for termites if you live in the South or Southwest and if you notice anything that looks like mud inside the home call Professional Termite Company ASAP.

What if the termites are eating your tree, what can you do?

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Termite generally don’t consume live wood or cellulose, they prefer dead stuff like fallen trees and wooden structural pieces in your home. These termites in the picture are probably a Gnathamitermes species often called grass eaters. Here is Arizona they often go after dead grass, old wooden fences, dead cactus and tree bark. Here is a great publication from the University of Arizona (Baker, Marchosky).

A stain is just a stain, right?

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During a wood destroying insect/termite inspection you find a termite mud stain, what is it? Termites build shelter tubes and if someone knocks them down all that may appear is this stain. Some people will go so far as to wipe it away and pretend that everything will be OK.

A few facts:

Termites don’t generally go away on their own.
In many places you must disclose that to a new buyer.
If their are no drill holes – then no termite was performed – refer to #1.
It must be noted on the inspection form.

If you find something like this it is important to find a Professional Termite Company to lend you a hand.

Is this termites?

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I often get calls that start out by saying I know I have termites and I need to have someone come out to give me an estimate. Mud Daubers are wasps nd they use mud to construct nest in which they house the next generation of solitary wasps. Mud Daubers rarely sting and do not defend their mud shelter, they may fly at you but it is not a defense.

Have you inspected your home for termites?

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In Arizona these little mud trails can pop up just about anywhere within your home. The termites make there way up from the soil and make these tubes or tunnels to protect themselves from ants or the heat. Once inside they will soon be munching away on your wall or ceiling studs.

So if you notice something like this I think its time to call a Termite Professional.

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