Termites can cause serious structural damage, especially if the infestation is mature. So, homeowners, if you have termites you need to get rid of them as soon as possible. One of their first reactions to having termites is to remove the termite mud tubes around the infested property. But should you remove these termite mud tubes yourself? Does this actually get rid of these destructive pests?
What are termite mud tubes?
Termite mud tubes are exactly what they sound like – they are mud tunnels made by termites around infested properties. They are actually some of the strongest signs of a termite infestation. If you see these around your home, you better be proactive. This is especially true if they are kind of moist.
- They link termite colonies and food sources. Termite mud tubes serve as bridges between subterranean termite colonies and their food sources around your property. They are a safe way for termites to travel back and forth.
- They keep termites safe from predators. Termite mud tubes are not just bridges termites use to travel around your home. They are also safety mechanisms to avoid termite predators like ants, cockroaches, scorpions, and spiders. Termites are not exactly the most intimidating creatures in their small world. They will need all the protection they can get.
- They keep termites in their proper moisture levels. Termites thrive in moisture. In fact, properties that are high in moisture are more vulnerable to termite infestations. This is one of the reasons why foundations that are constantly in contact with wet soil almost always have termites. Termite mud tubes keep the pest in their proper moisture levels even when traveling.
What do you do when you see termite mud tubes?
Some homeowners remove the termite mud tubes as a reaction to finding out they may have termite infestations. But this may not be the best thing to do because it’s not as productive as you think. Here are the things you can do instead.
- Call a pest control professional. You can DIY your way out of many kinds of pest infestations. But termites can be very tricky. They are very resilient, and untrained amateurs who just read DIY tips online may not be good enough. A proper pest control professional will be able to diagnose your situation, use the appropriate pest control method, and even implement preventive measures.
- Inspect if they are dry or moist. It’s best to leave everything to the professionals, so this means you shouldn’t remove termite mud tubes yourself. But if you really can’t help yourself, you can check if the mud tubes are dry or moist. Dry mud tubes may mean that termites have already abandoned the area and have moved on to other parts of your home. And moist mud tubes may mean that they are still active in the area.
- See if there are active termites nearby. You can also cut the center portion of the termite mud tubes and see if there are active termites inside. If you don’t see anything, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the pests are not there. Check back in a few days. If the portion you have broken is repaired, it may mean that the termites there are still active.
What should you avoid doing when you see termite mud tubes?
You shouldn’t be too proactive. Just wait for the pest control professional and let them do their thing. If you impose too much, you may even cause more harm than good. Here are the things you should avoid when you see termite mud tubes.
- Don’t waste time removing them. If you remove the termite mud tubes, you are getting rid of the termite infestation, right? You can’t be more wrong. You are only going to waste your time if you remove these bridges. Termites can easily repair active termite mud tubes and they don’t care about the inactive ones.
- Don’t clean them out completely. Termite mud tubes are both a blessing and a curse. They are a curse because they are some of the signs of termite infestations. But they are a blessing because they lead to the termite colonies. Remember that these tubes are bridges between the colonies and their food sources, so they are useful for pest control professionals to locate the pests. If you destroy these bridges, you are depriving your pest control professionals of clues of where the colonies are.
What are some quick ways to get rid of the termites?
At the end of the day, you only want one thing – get rid of the termite infestation on your property! Here are some of the most effective termite control methods available.
- Subject your home to termite fumigation. In this method, pest control professionals bomb your home with a fumigant gas to get rid of termites. The great thing about this method is that it penetrates through the smallest parts of your home, so no termites can escape. But it’s not without downsides. People, pets, and plants can experience side effects such as difficulty in breathing, dizziness, headache, skin irritation, and even death.
- Use spot treatments. Termite fumigation is especially effective on infestations that have already spread across the property. If the infestation you have at home is contained in a small area, like a room or a piece of wood, more direct methods like spot treatments may suffice. In this method, pest control professionals inject termiticides in the infested wood to kill the pests. Its downside is that it has the tendency to miss some areas within the infested wood, so it doesn’t always completely get rid of the infestation.
- Consider DIY solutions. Do-it-yourself methods can work. Many homeowners are getting results with boric acid, diatomaceous earth, salt, soapy water, and vinegar. Simply subject the infested areas to these easily accessible termite killers. But take note that they may not work on larger and more mature infestations.
Leave it to the professionals
Termite mud tubes are some of the signs of termite infestations, but this doesn’t mean that removing them yourself will get rid of the pests. In fact, removing them can even have a negative effect. They are important clues for your pest control professionals to locate the termite colonies.
By being too proactive on your property’s termite control, you can cause more harm than good. Leave the termite mud tubes alone and let pest control professionals handle them.