John Dirks Jr Posted October 29, 2013 Report Share Posted October 29, 2013 I found these termite shelter tubes. They are different than what I usually find. Usually the tubes I find are thinner and form tunnels. These were like sheets. Are these perhaps a different kind of termite? If they are the typical subterranean termites I usually find, why the sheet like shelters? They were also eating the wood in a sheet like manner rather than boring through soft wood. There are a couple of live specimens near the center of the third picture. Download Attachment: P1020111.JPG 100.48 KB Download Attachment: P1020116.JPG 139.98 KB Download Attachment: P1020114.JPG 118.8 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted October 29, 2013 Report Share Posted October 29, 2013 Maybe it has something to do with how the board was cut from the log. Native subs don't eat the growth rings, just cut a hole through them to get to the next layer. If a growth ring is parallel to the surface of the wood, they eat on the surface but need the protection of the mud while they're at it. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kogel Posted October 29, 2013 Report Share Posted October 29, 2013 John, two mysteries in one week? Way to go. I can't help with the gremlins in the toilet tanks, but I have a possible answer for this one. Formosans. See some pics here. Scroll down to where they were found behind a furnace. http://termitemd.com/termite-pictures/ Some earlier docs state that they are not as far North as Maryland, but we know different here in 2013. [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted October 29, 2013 Report Share Posted October 29, 2013 I find them like that every so often. No Formosans anywhere near me. It's just the way that they behave sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Raymond Posted October 29, 2013 Report Share Posted October 29, 2013 Well, finally a good reason to live in WNY. No termites here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosier inspector Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 It maybe something to do with the soil composition they're using for construction material. I've never seen anything quite like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdhutch Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 The termite activity you see is quite common in my area. The pattern of shelter tubes has more to do with the environment, the type of wood, and the moisture content of the wood (although sometimes undetectable with most moisture meters). My opinion, based on the 3rd photo, is you are dealing with Eastern Subterreannean Termites which are indigenous to your area. With Formosans, once you break open a tube or infested wood member, the number of soldiers will greatly outnumber the number of workers present. The first picture shows a Formosan infestation in which you can clearly see the number of soldiers outnumber the workers. The second shows a formosan termite attacking my finger, in what I call the last great act of defiance. Click to View 51.94 KB Click to Enlarge 20.85 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 MD is too far north for Formosans. I once saw that "sheet" of mud on a large section of cast iron waste pipe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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