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Evidence of Termite Scouting #918336

Asked September 23, 2025, 12:46 PM EDT

Hello, I have a neighbor that has termites and that prompted me to get an inspection. The neighbor has treated with a liquid at the site of the termites (leaking bathroom) and has preventive bait stations in their yard around the house. Upon inspection of my house, there was evidence of termite scouting in one crawl space (not active termites, that I know of yet). Inspection all around the outside did not note any active termites however on the opposite of the house were some mud tubes that did not have active termites. Both crawl spaces have a barrier for radon and/or moisture prevention. The recommendation is to pull back the barrier (to accomodate further inspection) and insert a bait station in the crawl space that has evidence of termites scouting. At time of inspection, the company knocked out a portion of the mud hole and we are waiting to see if it is put back in place (determining active termites). The next step is to have them come back, install the bait station in that crawl space and further inspect by pulling back the barriers. If there are not active termites, the company is further recommending installation of preventive bait stations at the time of this secondary inspection. Do I need to go to the expense of the preventive bait stations all around the house at this point in time? Thank you!

Denver County Colorado

Expert Response

Hi Marta, 

It depends on the state of the wood in your house. Termites prefer to colonize wood that is already water damaged/rotted. If your house has wood like that, I would recommend placing the baiting systems. If the wood is in good condition, it's not necessary. While your proximity to an active termite infestation increases your risk, it does not mean that the termites will definitely attack your house. 

I also recommend making sure your house is properly sealed/weatherproofed. Termites and other insects can enter through small gaps along doors, vents, windows, window AC units, etc. Properly sealing these gaps (usually with caulk) is an effective bulwark against most termites. 

Let me know if you have further questions.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 24, 2025, 4:21 PM EDT
Hello,
Thank you for this response. It is helpful.
  • Did you see the pictures I sent? Do they look like mud tunnels to you? I don't believe the wood in that crawl space is water damaged. How can I tell if the wood is water damaged?
  • I did not realize that a properly sealed/weatherproofed house was helpful. Can you share more about how that juxtaposes the mud tunnels that are made on the outside of the house and the holes that are made in the concrete? or is the tunnel from the sill to the ground? I was told they make holes in the concrete, at least that was my interpretation.
Thank you!
Marta

On Wed, Sep 24, 2025 at 2:21 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied September 25, 2025, 11:20 AM EDT

Apologies, I saw the pictures but forgot to acknowledge them. Yes, the structures in your images are the mud tubes that subterranean termites produce. And your exterminator was correct that you can check for an active infestation by destroying a section of the tunnels and checking if they rebuild it.

You can tell if wood is water damaged if it is soft to the touch, and if certain sections have a noticeably darker appearance. Frankly, assessing wood for water damage is outside my realm of expertise, that's about all the information I can offer there.

I mention weatherproofing the home more so to protect from the potential invasion of termite "alates", aka the winged reproductives or virgin kings/queens. These are the termites that can fly, and that pair up to found a new nest. Sealing potential entry points into the home is meant to prevent these alates from entering and starting a nest in rotted wood inside the home. This weatherproofing does little to prevent invasion from termite workers, who construct the mud tubes. But if an opening into the house is large enough, a mud tube could be constructed through it, so it still helps.

Subterranean termites nest underground, constructing mud tubes between the nest and their food source (the wood). While mud tubes are often constructed on concrete, the termites do not burrow through the concrete to make them. The only scenario where a mud tube would be coming through concrete is if there was already a hole in the concrete before the termites constructed the mud tube.

Let me know if I can clear anything else up!

An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 27, 2025, 11:52 AM EDT

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