Hey everyone, hoping for some quick advice. I was getting out some firewood from my backyard shed and noticed a bunch of tiny, discarded wings on the floor. When I looked closer at one of the support beams, I saw what looks like mud tubes snaking up the side and the wood sounds hollow when I tap it.
I'm 90% sure these are termites. I'm freaking out a little. What should be my first step? Is this something a handy person can tackle themselves, or do I absolutely need to call a pro? Any recommendations for a good termite controller would be great too (I'm in the suburbs, if that helps).
First, take a deep breath. It's a scary find, but it's a common problem.
If you're sure it's just the shed and it's not attached to your house, you can try a DIY spot treatment. I had a similar issue with a fence post. I used a termiticide foam (you can get it at any big box store) and injected it directly into the galleries. You have to find the active areas, drill small holes, and pump the foam in. It worked for me, but you have to be thorough.
But a word of caution: if there's any chance this has spread to your house, or if you're not 100% confident, STOP. Termites are not a pest to guess with.
WorriedWoodworker, listen carefully. Do not attempt to treat this yourself.
The presence of wings and mud tubes almost certainly confirms subterranean termites. The shed is just the "food source" you can see. The colony itself, with potentially hundreds of thousands of termites, is in the ground nearby.
A DIY foam or spray will only kill the termites you can see, acting as a temporary repellent. It does nothing to address the main colony in the soil, which will just find another path into your shed—or worse, your home.
Your first step is to get a professional inspection. Most reputable companies offer them for free. They will assess the damage to the shed and, crucially, check your home's foundation, crawl spaces, and attic for any signs of activity. Termites can cause extensive, hidden damage before you even know they're there.
I cannot stress this enough: The cost of a professional treatment is far less than the cost of repairing structural wood damage to your house.
