Termites in vaulted ceiling

[jtvang125]

So far I've only noticed this in a small section of the ceiling. There is a small attic but it doesn't extend to this section of the ceiling. Access to the attic is in my brother's room so I had him check it but he said he didn't see anything (wings, frass). I'll double check this weekend.

But there has been a considerable amount of frass coming from the affected area lately. I haven't gone up on a ladder to look but from the ground I don't see any visual damage to the ceiling. If there is an infestation is it possible to do a diy spot treatment? This is a 2 story house so the high ceilings is my biggest concern.

 

[highland145]

diy spot treatment

If they're in your ceiling, I doubt that's all you need.

 

[zardthebuilder]

how do you know they are termites?

our termite inspector looks for mud trails on the outside of the house. have you walked around your house?

 

[highland145]

^^
Unless he's on a slab.

 

[RagingBITCH]

^^
Unless he's on a slab.

They still look for mud trails...unless that's different than the mud tubes going up the slab to whatever cracks inside the house.

 

[highland145]

They still look for mud trails...unless that's different than the mud tubes going up the slab to whatever cracks inside the house.

I 'm saying they could get in through cracks in the slab and no tubes on the outside of the house. My aunt had this happen. She must have had 10K books. Found termites upstairs, in a closet, eating her books.

Either way, if the OP has termites in the ceiling, that's not good.

 

[Greenman]

You're going to have to get up next to the area and look at it, from both sides if possible. If not, you're going to end up cutting a hole in the ceiling. The one thing that never works with termites is ignoring them.

 

[zardthebuilder]

^^
Unless he's on a slab.

that reminds me of a HGTV episode i watched years ago. the homeowner was very sensitive to pesticides, so she had her slab wrapped in insect-resistant mesh. (yes, it was a new construction.)

 

[jtvang125]

how do you know they are termites?

our termite inspector looks for mud trails on the outside of the house. have you walked around your house?

There's what looks like frass coming from that particular area in the ceiling. I'll vacuum them and a few days later there's more. I also looked at that part of the ceiling from a few different angles and it looks like the dry wall is a little wavy. Not sagging but not as flat as the surrounding area.

 

[Zorba]

that reminds me of a HGTV episode i watched years ago. the homeowner was very sensitive to pesticides, so she had her slab wrapped in insect-resistant mesh. (yes, it was a new construction.)

Nice thing about post tension slabs is you don't generally get cracks and there is no gap or filler between the slab and the stem wall. Although they still can get in around the bathtub pan. It does seem to help.

I'd think if you had terminate in the ceiling you'd have them lower and would see their trails elsewhere. But if they are in your ceiling I'd definitely get a professional out there.

 

[zardthebuilder]

There's what looks like frass coming from that particular area in the ceiling. I'll vacuum them and a few days later there's more. I also looked at that part of the ceiling from a few different angles and it looks like the dry wall is a little wavy. Not sagging but not as flat as the surrounding area.

i'm no bug expert, but that doesn't sound like enough evidence to conclude termites. as others have said, you should contact a professional.

if they are not termites, you should do something to prevent termites in the future. home depot, lowes, etc. sell DIY kits.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Spectrac...nd-Killing-Stakes-15-Count-HG-96115/203985944

 

[DrPizza]

I know very little about termites, except they're bad to have in your house, because they eat your house.

Alternate theory: small leak in the roof has resulted in a small amount of moisture - it's not making it to the drywall where it can stain it, but there's some wood that's starting to rot. Those little ants seem to find rotten wood like that by magic - possibly a small colony of ants?

Ants: I'd be comfortable with diy remediation, and repair/replacement of damaged wood. Termites, I'd be calling an exterminator. Having a certain identification of what's up there is pretty important.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

What about carpenter ants?