topic Re: Pests? in Home

Pests?

TeezNu — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 15:51:54 GMT

Does anyone know know what this stuff might be?

i remove it, and it seems to build up and appear again within a month or so.

It is on an outside wall, and I don't ever see any bug movement. The house has been treated for termites, and I'm about in the middle of the 10-year warranty.

Any ideas or experience with this? Thanks so much!

Re: Pests?

carlycat — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 15:55:36 GMT

It looks like termites to me. I had them, they treated them, and now they come back every six months to rebait the stations and check for termites.

Re: Pests?

Annabellethecat66 — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 16:20:32 GMT

You need to call (at least) two reputable pest control companies. For many years I had Orkin come to keep the bugs away from my house. I originally had them come because I had termites but I kept them coming for several years every month. They were courteous and came and left.

I stopped having them come years ago and so far (knock on wood) no kind of pest around at all.

Don't just take one but I'd have at least two come. Mke sure you use a well known company.

It's almost always free to examine your house. If it isn't find two more who ae free to check them out.

You'd better do it soon. Looks like you have a bad problem.

Re: Pests?

Nightowlz — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 17:02:36 GMT

Does not look like termites to me. Termites travel in a mud tube they don't come out in the open crawling around like other pests.

Is this located on your front porch under a porch light? Your light will have all kinds of pests gathering around & could have an area that needs cleaned like that after a month. I have seen a mess like this in our light fixture from dead bugs & had to take it off to clean it.

If you have a contract leave the mess there & have them come out & ask about it.

Re: Pests?

Desertdi — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 17:33:18 GMT

If it's mold, bleach will kill it.

Re: Pests?

RedTop — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 17:50:17 GMT

@TeezNu,

I suggest you call the exterminator who did your termite protection, and get them back to inspect that problem. With the crack in that corner, I suspect the castings (waste) you are seeing are from some type of infestation---maybe even roaches.

With my termite protection, I pay a yearly maintenance fee, and have a yearly inspection. I strongly suspect you have something living and feasting on your house, behind that wall.

Re: Pests?

TeezNu — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 18:46:03 GMT

I have emailed a pic to an exterminator I trust - not the one who did my termite treatment - and will follow up with a phone call next week. Will let you all know the outcome. Thanks for your comments.

Re: Pests?

littleredhead56 — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 21:17:22 GMT

dry wood termites. they swarm from the outside and an enter the house through a verytiny opening. the brown looks like the termite dropings.

Re: Pests?

ceekay — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 21:27:13 GMT

Looks like ant frass to me. We have tiny winged ants (which are not termites) that make a mess along the window sills on our lanai. I vacuum, they come back. The termite people have looked and looked, checked in the attic and along the patio wall with no results for where they are coming from. I ultimately just got a can of the spray they used (expensive!) on Amazon and spray myself every once in awhile. So far they are just annoying and messy not destructive. I will be interested in the 2nd opinion you are getting when you post it. Maybe it will help me with my issue. Good luck!

Re: Pests?

violann — Sun, 07 Aug 2016 00:14:26 GMT

@littleredhead56 wrote:
dry wood termites. they swarm from the outside and an enter the house through a verytiny opening. the brown looks like the termite dropings.

Also looks like the result of carpenter ants or carpenter bees.

Re: Pests?

Tigriss — Sun, 07 Aug 2016 00:30:15 GMT

I would do something right now and use Bengal you can get at WalMart or Sam's or a place like that. It is a smoke type spray instead of a wet spray like regular ant killer. You can find it in a red can with a tiger on the front. I would put the little hose right into that crack and spray all along the crack and board joints. This gas will really get into there. Then wait and clean up what is there. I would put it into a plastic bag or glass jar for the pest guy. Don't wait to do something until next week. Kill what you can now, and get the inspection when they can get to you. I would also monitor it in the morning and evening, sunrise and sunset are normal times of pests to come and go from their nests. If there are more coming out, take pics, and spray more, especially if what is out there is dead! Keep what you clean up for the pest guy so he/she knows what they are dealing with.

Re: Pests?

TeezNu — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 16:46:27 GMT

@ceekay

Pest control guy inspected around outside of house and concluded it was just some ants' refuse/waste; he lightly sprayed the interior wall area pictured above, to see if that solves this localized issue. He said we normally see this sort of thing on window sills, but my wall crack probably provided easier access for them. Here in Dallas, the very mild previous winter, along with such a wet spring caused very favorable conditions for bug activity.