Termite Mud Tubes: What They Look Like and How to Get Rid of Them

With 21 different forms of termite species in Florida, including six invasive ones, many people have problems with termites every year. You may have found termite mud tubes on your property and worry about the integrity of your home following their spread. How can you be sure what you have found are real termite tubes so you can plan a termite treatment to get rid of them?

Below, we answer questions related to what these tubes look like so you can know for sure. By the end of the article, you should have all the information you need to get rid of any infestation that crops up.

What Are Termite Mud Tubes?

These constructs, also known as “termite highways”, are one of the clearest signs of infestation. They are protective tunnels for termites to travel between both their nest and any food sources in the surrounding area (such as the wood of your home). By using them, the termites can travel across spaces that might otherwise be dangerous to them, including open air.

What They Look Like

These tubes appear as thin cylinders that are laid across a surface. They usually look like soil, although they can appear in many other materials too. On the edge of the tunnels, you will often find wood particles and a hard material made of termite saliva.

The tunnels may consist of different sizes depending on the size and number of termites in the nest. Despite this range, they are most often the thickness of a pencil, though, if the colony needs it, they may grow larger.

Destroying the Tubes

If you destroy the termite tubes, you can interfere with the foraging of termites in your home. This may temporarily prevent the termites from visiting your home, but it is important to understand that a colony can be tenacious.

If you want to try, scrape the termite tubes from the surface of the ground, and then vacuum them up to collect any termites and other debris. Once you have collected them, deposit them in a dumpster far from your home to prevent them from returning.

If you choose to do this, ensure you stay safe. This may include using gloves and eye protection, and ensuring you stay vigilant of termites trying to defend their colony.

Termite Treatment Options

Many termite treatments involve liquid “termiticides”. These are either poisons you infuse into the soil, causing termites to touch them and eventually die, or, creating a “baiting system” that encourages termites to pick up poisonous food and take it back to their home, killing the whole colony.

Extreme heat can also be used to kill termites.

Get Rid of Termite Mud Tubes

All of the above information is very important for anyone looking to remove termite mud tubes from their home. Still, you may want a little more information on the specifics, or even get someone to do the difficult work for you. This is where we can help.

We offer pest control services and have over 40 years of experience in the world of termite extermination. Get in contact with us today to ensure you get rid of the pests in your home and never see those termite tubes again.