Cliff Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 If I see one or two, does that indicate a bigger problem? Or does it just indicate I saw one or two? There was one on a trashcan and one on the patio. I don't know anything about this stuff so if anyone does, lay it on me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 I doubt it was just a couple of strays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenskye Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 I would call terminex or one of the other companies, nip it in the bud early. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 ...if it is early. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted July 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 We get our entire property sprayed every year, as part of a maintenance contract with the pest company. From what I've been reading termites may magically appear because someone nearby sprayed their house and it drove them out. My wife is convinced that any spec of sawdust on the ground outside will instantly attract them. I don't know about that but I don't exactly have the knowledge to tell her if she is wrong or not. This is a picture of the one we found on the garbage can. After looking at pictures I'm not necessarily positive that this is a termite. It's backend looks weird, but again, I'm no expert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 That's not a termite. That's an earwig. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted July 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 I was pretty sure too after googling. I took my wife's word on it but she's also convinced we'll have termites because I'm a woodworker. So, crisis averted, ones hopes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post drzaius Posted July 10, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 An unfortunate name for that bug. When I was a kid I had nightmares about what one of those would do once it got into my ear. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapid Roger Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 I doubt you will ever see a termite crawling around on the ground. They live under ground (and are very white in color) and usually eat damp or wet wood. HOWEVER they love the glue on the paper of sheet rock. If you notice the sheet rock surface getting loose or bulgy, it is almost too late get busy fast! Check under windows where the wood may be damp from rain and humidity and they may move into the sheet rock glue area next. BTDT 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted July 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 This is now a thread about disgusting bugs. Google Japanese Hornet and you will dream for better days of when you knew not of such things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxerjoe04 Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 I had a number of "oh s$#%" what kind of bug is that in my garage, the first were powder post beetles. Then I had some wood in there with huge holes and tons of dust, turned out to be some kind of grub, were logs cut up for turning. I did bring one log home to cut up for turning, did it out side and made a cut and saw termites, luckily the garbage was running the next day and I threw it all out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 Man i have to deal with frigid cold and terrible winters but the saving grace to that is the worst bugs we get are ants. Hope you guys can keep your bugs in control that stuff would keep me up at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 Went to Africa. Slept in an expedition hammock. Great experience by the way. When trees were not available, poles (logs) were drilled into the ground. I pulled one the next morning and overnight it was thoroughly covered in termites where it was below grade. I have never seen anything happen so fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted July 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 31 minutes ago, C Shaffer said: Went to Africa. Slept in an expedition hammock. Great experience by the way. When trees were not available, poles (logs) were drilled into the ground. I pulled one the next morning and overnight it was thoroughly covered in termites where it was below grade. I have never seen anything happen so fast. Well that is terrifying. Africa is #2 on my list of places to avoid. Australia is #1. 2 hours ago, Gixxerjoe04 said: I had a number of "oh s$#%" what kind of bug is that in my garage, the first were powder post beetles. Then I had some wood in there with huge holes and tons of dust, turned out to be some kind of grub, were logs cut up for turning. I did bring one log home to cut up for turning, did it out side and made a cut and saw termites, luckily the garbage was running the next day and I threw it all out. I was a bit concerned because the walnut I'm using for my counters was air dried and had evidence of powder post beetles or termites. I am not sure which. I left them out and watched for piles of dust or change and never saw any - and most of the bad stuff was cut out and what wasn't got filled with epoxy. But I still worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxerjoe04 Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 Powder post beetles have holes the size of a pen tip, real tiny, termites are bigger from what I've seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted July 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 Oh wow. These holes were a max of 1/4" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 8 minutes ago, Gixxerjoe04 said: Powder post beetles have holes the size of a pen tip, real tiny, termites are bigger from what I've seen. Not the ones I've seen. I've seen powder post holes about 1/8" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncfowler Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 a simple mixture of borax and water sprayed around the foundation and in areas you my suspect will keep them at bay, also will stop piss ants, you can use 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Bob Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 1 hour ago, C Shaffer said: Went to Africa. Slept in an expedition hammock. Great experience by the way. When trees were not available, poles (logs) were drilled into the ground. I pulled one the next morning and overnight it was thoroughly covered in termites where it was below grade. I have never seen anything happen so fast. Spent a year in Kenya, the termites were amazing, however, the fire ants were the ones I learned to avoid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 5 minutes ago, Just Bob said: Spent a year in Kenya, the termites were amazing, however, the fire ants were the ones I learned to avoid! Fire...sugar...army. Ouch, annoying, and trouble. The enormous hills were amazing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 16 hours ago, Cliff said: This is now a thread about disgusting bugs. Google Japanese Hornet and you will dream for better days of when you knew not of such things. Search YouTube for giant centipede. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 My understanding is that termites will never be seen in the open, unless you have just busted open their tunnel / hive. The live underground, and to get into your walls they have to find / dig / make a tunnel. As soon as you said, "I saw a termite near my trash can" I knew it wasn't a termite. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 Look for mudpaths on your foundation. They will travel quite far above ground either tunneling through trees or building mud tunnels. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 Termites are a common problem down here in TN. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 Mike, I can reach you in about 1.5 hours traveling due west. My house is treated. Two of my sisters had houses with varied levels of damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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