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DIY & Home Improvement

jeff47

(26,549 posts)

2. It depends.

Reply to roody (Original post)

Wed Oct 24, 2012, 01:30 AM

Oct 2012

If the paths are not close to the house, you probably won't have a problem - they've got lots of food in the paths.

If the paths are close to the house, then it could cause a problem.

Burrowing termites die when exposed to sunlight. So one of the ways to see if that particular type of termite is attacking your house is to look around the foundation for small tubes made of mud - the termites build them up the foundation wall in order to reach the wood in the house.

This method isn't foolproof - for example you won't be able to easily check the inside walls of your foundation, and there's other species of termites that don't build tubes.

If so, can I kill them without harsh pesticides?

No. Some people market alternatives to pesticides. They generally do not work well.

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Highlight:

Help with termites hatching [View all] roody Oct 2012 OP

scary! shireen Oct 2012 #1

The trees were healthy. I roody Oct 2012 #4

It depends. jeff47 Oct 2012 #2

Don't look for small tubes made of mud, though Warpy Oct 2012 #5

Thanks. I keep a close eye on the house. roody Oct 2012 #6

You can take care of them yourself. Lowe's carries a DIY termite killing system. sinkingfeeling Oct 2012 #3

rent some chickens? mopinko Oct 2012 #7

Message auto-removed Name removed Dec 2015 #8