Evidence of Termites in the Soil
Termites hide in wood, making them difficult to see. Since the destructive pests build their nests in the soil, they must travel to the wood to eat. Any evidence of termites found above ground points to their existence in the soil, too. Does this Spark an idea?
-
Nests
-
Subterranean termites build colonies of nests in the soil. The nest can reach up to 20 feet below the surface of the soil. You may find a termite colony while digging planting holes or while tilling deep soil.
Mud Tubes
-
Low humidity and predation by small mammals and birds cause termites to build earthen tubes between the soil and the wood structures they feed from. The tubes are usually between .25 and one-inch in width. If termites are nesting in your soil, you should find tubes that start in the soil and extend along parts of your foundation.
-
Locations
-
To find the termites, look for mud tubes along the inside and outside of your home's foundation if your house features a crawl space. For homes with concrete slab floors, look for the tubes in cracks in the floor. The termites also build and use tubes along pipes and utilities where they go through the slab.
-
