Cesar Zapata wrote:
> On Aug 20, 12:29 pm, Frank <frankdotlogullo@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>> Cesar Zapata wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>> Today I found, I actually not only today, but found some "dirt" or
>>> "mud" in the corner of a window hinge.
>>> The window's hinge is made of metal and when I cleaned it I did not
>>> see any trace of any ants or ants/like residue. it was empty... Now I
>>> think it could be empty because I saw awoodpeckerand he may have
>>> eaten the insects inside but he left.
>>> I don't know if I have a termite or Ant or other insect problem. I
>>> thought termites make mud tubes and this also 6 ' feet high from the
>>> ground .
>>> ugggh I hope is not termites... Please help.
>> Don't know about Formosan termites, the flying kind, but termite tunnel
>> would be from the ground to wood.
>>
>> Sounds like a mud dauber wasp which is not a problem:
>>
>> http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/iiin/bmuddaub.html-
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>>
>> - Show quoted text -
> Yes thanks.. I beleive is Mud Dauber wasp or a similar because the
> nest is built to protect from the rain the same way the other regular
> wasp nest is and is similar to the pictures you provided in the link.
>
> I just cleaned and see what happens.. I did check around my house for
> termite mud tubes just to be safe and did not see... hopefully we are
> OK.
>
> I guess I'll thank the woodpecker and you too...:)
Glad to help.
The tubes are an obvious sign but if wood is close to the ground or they
get up inside a block wall you may not see exterior signs. It's a good
idea to poke some of the foundation wood with a pointed tool to see if
infested. I never had them but my neighbor did and I knew they were all
around the house, for example, I had cut down a small pine which was
close to my septic and the stump got eaten in a few weeks. I was
checking the foundation and spraying perimeter of house. Neighbor let
them infest his wood pile and they got into house and he did not detect
them until they swarmed inside. Exterminator killed termites in house,
set out bait stations and hit them with the juvenile hormone which
killed the nest. No signs in the area since, but I still keep on the
lookout. You can hire exterminators to inspect and insure against
termites but I think an observant homeowner can do this himself but if
infested you will need the exterminator to kill the colony.
Frank
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