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lora wrote:

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The "mud pipes" sound like mud tubes that subterranean termites build to
go from ground to wood. If you scrape away the tube, it is one means of
determining whether termites are still active...they will rebuild the
tube if still active THERE. If you tap wood surfaces around doors and
windows especially, a sign of termite infestation is a hollow sound in
comparison to more solid areas...if you find hollow sounding spots, dig
at them and probably will reveal termite tunnels if that is the problem.

The classic method of finding out you have termites is opening the basement
door to have it just fall to the ground. They are experts at eating away
everything of structural substance yet leaving things looking quite intact.

Termites avoid daylight, so the reason for mud tubes and for tunnels
remaining just beneath the surface of the wood. They create small,
round openings in the surface to push out their poop. Another sign is
wrinkling of drywall surface, not especially obvious, where they burrow
through the paper covering of the wallboard. Look carefully around the
areas of concern for shed wings or small holes (about size of pencil
lead) and possibly fine, dark colored granules that is their excreta.

Did you know that some archeologists believe that man's brain surpassed the
animals once he learned that by following the marks other animals made, he
could find himself a meal? The shed wings are the biggest giveway to their
presence. I remember opening a basement closet door of a house that had
belonged to mobster Joe Profaci that we were thinking of buying to see
spider webs full of termite wings. Curiously, every door in the house
locked from both the inside and the outside. We ended up not buying out of
fear some old enemy might not have known he had moved. But I digress!

They will eat anything containing cellulose, including wood, paper and
furniture. If there is paper stored in the areas, check it out. If
there are areas of wood on exterior in need of paint or repair, check
them as well. Uncaulked gaps around doors and windows, entries for
electical and plumbing...open up plumbing access panels and inspect
there. If there are trees or shrubs in contact with the structure, trim
them. ALL wood should be at least 6-8" above grade...wood in contact
with soil will just about guarantee termite problems. One especiall bad
practice has been to extend stucco down below grade, giving termites a
very comfy, cozy means to reach wood without being visible. If wood has
an odd wrinkled texture, kind of like old parchment paper, poke around
with a screw-driver to see if the wood is sound; if it isn't, dig around
and you will be able to expose tunnels.

Very good advice. I can see you've earned several campaign medals in the
never-ending war against The Termites.

There are quite a variety of species of termites, and one of the worst
is the Formosan (subterranean)...cause a lot of damage, New Orleans was
the first area of southern US to have severe problems with them.
Termites occur just about anywhere there is wood, and are part of
nature's way of "recycling"...normal in the ground, in the woods, but
not in the house )

If you do have termites, you need to address the issue but it is not an
emergency...just take the time to learn and find reputable contractors.

Here are some links to termite info:

Georgia:
http://www.caes.uga.edu/departments/.../termites.html
http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/office.cfm
Florida:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig098
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig097

Good advice.

--
Bobby G.