Just came home from work and found these small winged insects crawling all over kitchen and utility room floor, which are close to wood stove. We were on vacation for a week. Didn't have any logs in our wood box, but some chunks of wood. Next time will take bring storage box outside away from house. Our nearest small wood pile is 20 feet from house on metal log storage. Looked up termites vs ants on net. Termites have straight antenae, carpenter ants have bent, termites have thick waists, ants have cinched waists. These looked like termites. They seem to be dying quickly. Killed ones that were still alive. Has this ever happened to anyone? I will wait a few days to see if there are more or are gone before spending the $1000 plus for an exterminator. I understand they have to establish a colony to infest your home. Wish me luck.
I think they are termites
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Can you determine that they crawled out from the chunks of wood?
You never know whats going to come to life and crawl out of wood brought into the house. Thats why I usually only bring in enough for the next couple of hours. Also, its been really warm here in Va this winter. Went out yesterday morning at 5am and had misquitos swarming around the light!
Don't spend the 1k yet, but investigate to see if you can tell where they came from first.
You never know whats going to come to life and crawl out of wood brought into the house. Thats why I usually only bring in enough for the next couple of hours. Also, its been really warm here in Va this winter. Went out yesterday morning at 5am and had misquitos swarming around the light!
Don't spend the 1k yet, but investigate to see if you can tell where they came from first.
Additionally I would check under the house. make sure you don't have any tunnels going up the foundation of the house. On a small home I own I found insects inside and they had come from underneath. Usually you don't see the termites inside the house. if they did come from the wood chunks you probably don't have a problem. most wood surfaces they would find inside the house are going to be coated with some sort of preservative....shellac, stain, etc.
MaryAnn,
Where are you located? I would think termites are dormant in winter North of where I am in central Virginia. They are probably dormant here too although I am not sure.
I had my home treated for termites this year after finding one trail up the side of my foundation. I caught it very quickly as I know I had no trails on the foundation about 2 weeks earlier. Of cource they could have been coming up from inside the foundation. Well, don't want to get into how they attack a house. My point is I got high high high quotes from the big national perst control companies and less than half the cost from local or regional companies. I think I paid around 500 to have my foundation and perimeter treated after getting several positive referrals from friends. It was good preventative medicine as my house hadn't been treated in quite awhile. Same warranty as the big name guys. The big name guys gave me such a "sell" job that they made me sick to my stomach. They think you are an idiot, that or thatis their prefeerred customer to seel their high priced services. HAHA Sorry - rant over!
Where are you located? I would think termites are dormant in winter North of where I am in central Virginia. They are probably dormant here too although I am not sure.
I had my home treated for termites this year after finding one trail up the side of my foundation. I caught it very quickly as I know I had no trails on the foundation about 2 weeks earlier. Of cource they could have been coming up from inside the foundation. Well, don't want to get into how they attack a house. My point is I got high high high quotes from the big national perst control companies and less than half the cost from local or regional companies. I think I paid around 500 to have my foundation and perimeter treated after getting several positive referrals from friends. It was good preventative medicine as my house hadn't been treated in quite awhile. Same warranty as the big name guys. The big name guys gave me such a "sell" job that they made me sick to my stomach. They think you are an idiot, that or thatis their prefeerred customer to seel their high priced services. HAHA Sorry - rant over!
Speaking as a pest control technician, it sounds like termites. They go through "swarming" periods and they lose their wings at this time. They are small insects, smaller than carpenter ants, and are usually creamy-yellow in color.
Where are you located? Here in the northeast, they usually go dormant in the winter by living below the frost line. However, because of this very mild winter, it would be quite possible for them to become active again.
What type of foundation do you have? If it's solid concrete, look for mud tubes on the inside and outside. If you see one break it open. If it's active you will see them traveling and they will quickly repair it. If your foundation is hollow blocks, you could have them without seeing any evidence. Also check any crawlspaces under the house, especially moist areas.
It's also possible they were living in the firewood itself. Let's hope so!!
If you do find them on your foundation, talk with other people and find a reputable company. We give free estimates where I work. I would get a few quotes because it can be quite expensive, depending on the damage done.
Good luck!
Where are you located? Here in the northeast, they usually go dormant in the winter by living below the frost line. However, because of this very mild winter, it would be quite possible for them to become active again.
What type of foundation do you have? If it's solid concrete, look for mud tubes on the inside and outside. If you see one break it open. If it's active you will see them traveling and they will quickly repair it. If your foundation is hollow blocks, you could have them without seeing any evidence. Also check any crawlspaces under the house, especially moist areas.
It's also possible they were living in the firewood itself. Let's hope so!!
If you do find them on your foundation, talk with other people and find a reputable company. We give free estimates where I work. I would get a few quotes because it can be quite expensive, depending on the damage done.
Good luck!
Woke up this morning, no sign of insects. They were small and brown with wings. We have a warm spell here in Ohio. From what I have read for this time of year, they are not at the right stage of development to colonize. I think they were brought in with wood. So I will wait before I call exterminator. No mud tunnels anywhere around outside of foundation.
Just found one of the dead insects. Upon closer inspection, the antenae are bent. So I guess they are small carpenter ants.
mark got a question
in most of my firewood i have yellowish worms with a brownish head what would that be?
in most of my firewood i have yellowish worms with a brownish head what would that be?
fbelec
Not really sure. But most likely it's just some kind of wood borer. There are hundreds of different ones that get into all different species of wood.
Not really sure. But most likely it's just some kind of wood borer. There are hundreds of different ones that get into all different species of wood.
wahoowad that's a great price. I would love to find a reputable company that could do a treatment for that price here in Richmond.
elkimmeg said:
REALLY????? Damm, Some Oak I have had those things all over, but just inside of the Bark. Will they get at the wood soon or just keep at the bark?
They are termites in the lava stage of their life cycle. Very common to find them under bark.
Some have suggested removing the bark. To me that's a lot of work. Most of the time they tend to stay
under the bark. a little moisture and wood tends to be softer from moisture and the outer layers are softer
Some have suggested removing the bark. To me that's a lot of work. Most of the time they tend to stay
under the bark. a little moisture and wood tends to be softer from moisture and the outer layers are softer
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