[slideshow_deploy id=’19040′]
This is what happens when patching termites drill holes goes extreme. Patching termite drill holes should be limited to the hole not all the area around the hole. I caught this at a business site the other day and just thought it was amusing and actually sad.
This is on pebble tech flooring, but so easy to just work a little smarter to blend in and only allow concrete to be in the hole not everywhere else.
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).
Maybe its because I had a chance to interact with Japan in my early days – I went to a BSA World Jamboree in 1972 and I feel close to their culture. I enjoyed the mulitple visits over the years and glad I was a part of possibly saving some of these hsitoric buildings. But this got me to thinking as I watched the only sports that I watch throughout the year – The Little League World Series. The Japanese are very regimented in their training, style and honestly they are like a very well oiled clock. I have had the chance to work with many talented people from Japan in regards to termites. That same spark is there among 11 – 80 year old Japanese. I looked at temples and buildings that had termite damage and hoped that we could preserve those structures. Formosan termites are capable of doing some severe damage if not stopped. The great thing is that technology continues to work toward that goal and people around the world all must work together.
Here are just a few pictures of some of the work I looked at in Japan.
[slideshow_deploy id=’19024′]
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.
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.
I’m not talking about uninvited people showing up at Christmas time and/or those over staying their welcome. Let’s talk about bringing in Christmas trees and the creatures we may be bringing in as well.
- Always check your Christmas tree for things like squirrels, remember the “Christmas Vacation” movie (I really love that movie) hilarious.
- Use caution when bringing things down from the attic, go through and make sure there are no rodents, bats or wildlife living in the boxes.
- While you are in the attic, do a little inspection – check for termites (mud or dirt and damaged wood), do you see feces from rodents or bird nests.
- Use caution when putting up Christmas decorations outside, you might disturb wildlife and you may accidentally fall.
- Use caution putting decorations into trees or bushes, critters may live there.
To date, the largest known prehistoric insect is the dragonfly Meganeura monyi. It existed over 280 million years ago. Fossil remains were found in Commentry, France. When measured, the wingspan was a whopping 2 ft. 3.5 inches.
The loudest insects are male cicadas, which can be heard about a quarter of a mile away.
The insects with the biggest nests are termites.
There were three plagues mentioned in the book of Exodus in the Bible which were caused by insects – lice, flies, and locusts.
It takes 48 hours for a cockroach to digest its food.
What are you thankful for, health, family, friends or maybe a bug free home? So what are the origins of Thanksgiving? It has been an annual tradition since 1863, when, during the Civil War, then President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of “Thanksgiving”. The thing most of us relate to, the first Thanksgiving was after harvest and was just a way of giving thanks for the plentiful crops.
Wishing all my readers a bug free and very Happy Thanksgiving!
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.