Termite damage has mud within the galleys of the wood that has been eaten by the insects. They carry this with them to construct tunnels in which to survive. If they stay out in open air to long they begin to dry up and die. The mud oftentimes appears to be dark, consistent with moisture in the dirt. Typical termites make tunnels oftentimes on the surface of the basement walls as they clime higher to get to the wooden structure of the home. Carpenter ants keep it clean but you may find
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some frass which consists of insect body parts and some saw dust from eating the wood.
Dry root is wood that tends to be very spongy and soft and crushes easy in hand. While the termite damage can also be crushed, it tends to have stringy wooden fibers between the areas in which were eaten by the insects.
You can also have Powder Post Beetle damage. This little bug creates very fine sawdust much like powder. The holes are very small pin head size in most cases, but the wood when scrapped with a screwdriver will appear just to disintegrate into dust.
Your best bet is to get a pest control person in there and have a look see. I suggest smaller companies over the big franchise ones as these people have much more to offer and are a bit more informed so they get things right. The larger companies are a inspection mill with one goal to sell treatments at a very expensive price.
Yes woodbridge is correct if you would like take some pictures and email or text prefer email and maybe i can help determine. First question is where is the damage located on the house. can you see the foundation clearly or are there high slabs.
Dry root is wood that tends to be very spongy and soft and crushes easy in hand. While the termite damage can also be crushed, it tends to have stringy wooden fibers between the areas in which were eaten by the insects.
You can also have Powder Post Beetle damage. This little bug creates very fine sawdust much like powder. The holes are very small pin head size in most cases, but the wood when scrapped with a screwdriver will appear just to disintegrate into dust.
Your best bet is to get a pest control person in there and have a look see. I suggest smaller companies over the big franchise ones as these people have much more to offer and are a bit more informed so they get things right. The larger companies are a inspection mill with one goal to sell treatments at a very expensive price.