Termite Mud Tubes on Your House
The bottom line is, termites need moisture to survive. The infamous termite mud tubes that tip you off to the presence of this particular pest in your home are actually hollow pencil-sized tunnels burrowed by the termite so that it can travel in comfort between its colony and its food. Subterranean termites are constantly at risk of drying out, which is why they live in the ground. It is when they venture above ground to forage for food that they build these mud tubes to maintain their body moisture. Either these earth-colored tunnels run through the food source itself–i.e., the wood the termite is eating–or they will build up new tubes, transporting water, soil, wood particles and other materials above ground, which allows them to tunnel across exposed areas to reach new wood. Termites often live in these tubes, and they are known to repair damaged tubes that have dried out and crumbled. These tubes can be found on foundation walls, inside and out, as well on floor joists, cellar walls, and even protruding from ceilings. They look like a narrow system of raised tunnels, though if the infestation is old, the surrounding wood will often have a rotted appearance.
