Found this on one of my units wall.Unknown as to what it is.Help

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Don Hines
Investor · Little Rock, AR · Member since 2010 · 628 posts · 251 votes
15y
Originally posted by Joshua Dorkin:
Don - Could it be anything else?

I am not a professional. But, I have experienced these little critters plenty. I would suspect that there could be some moisture in that area. The termites are actually eating the paper off of the sheetrock. Look outside to see if you can find their tunnels leading to the earth. Since these are inside of the sheetrock, it is possible they are returning to the ground in a foundation crack.
But, no. I am positive they are termites. The tunels are a true give away. They form those tunnels with their own poop back to their source of moisture; which is normally in the ground. Their dry poop will burn and smoldor just like a wick or firecracker punk stick because of the wood in it. Sometimes in a dry spell you can break away part of the tunnel and actually see them as they travel back and forth. They are not a death sentence though. The ground needs to be treated in the area and any leaking roofs etc needs to be corrected. Termites and leaking roofs are the same story as the chicken and the egg; which one came first. Of course, if you have a policy, the termites came first.
Don
EDIT
Anyone in the rental business needs to be familiar with the signs of termites. I had an apartment complex get taken over with them in '89. To this day I still see signs everwhere I go. Resturant owners and managers sometimes take offense when I tell them they have termites.
Don

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  • Joshua D.Pro Member
    BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    15y

    Don't see the pics, Joel.

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  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
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    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    15y

    How do I insert pics do I have to upload to bigger pockets first or can I upload from my pictures folder on desktop??

    If I click image here it just inserts (img)but I haven't put in a pic yet.

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  • Joshua D.Pro Member
    BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    15y

    http://www.biggerpockets.com/galleries/my

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  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
    Moderator
    OP
    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    15y

    I sent pics to your e-mail Josh.

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  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
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    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    15y

    http://www.biggerpockets.com/galleries/show/13867

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  • Raymond B.
    FL · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 357 votes
    15y

    Linked for you, Joel:

    http://www.biggerpockets.com/galleries/show/13867

    Raymond

    0Reply
  • Don Hines
    Investor · Little Rock, AR · Member since 2010 · 628 posts · 251 votes
    15y

    You poor sole!!!
    TERMITES!!!

    Don

    0Reply
  • Kiran K
    Real Estate Investor · atlanta, GA · Member since 2008 · 80 posts · 15 votes
    15y

    looks like termites to me Joel.

    might not be active, is it outside like the Sheetrock or did you cut the Sheetrock and see the studs too see if you see any activity.

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  • Joshua D.Pro Member
    BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    15y

    Don - Could it be anything else?

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  • Don Hines
    Investor · Little Rock, AR · Member since 2010 · 628 posts · 251 votes
    15y
    Originally posted by Joshua Dorkin:
    Don - Could it be anything else?

    I am not a professional. But, I have experienced these little critters plenty. I would suspect that there could be some moisture in that area. The termites are actually eating the paper off of the sheetrock. Look outside to see if you can find their tunnels leading to the earth. Since these are inside of the sheetrock, it is possible they are returning to the ground in a foundation crack.
    But, no. I am positive they are termites. The tunels are a true give away. They form those tunnels with their own poop back to their source of moisture; which is normally in the ground. Their dry poop will burn and smoldor just like a wick or firecracker punk stick because of the wood in it. Sometimes in a dry spell you can break away part of the tunnel and actually see them as they travel back and forth. They are not a death sentence though. The ground needs to be treated in the area and any leaking roofs etc needs to be corrected. Termites and leaking roofs are the same story as the chicken and the egg; which one came first. Of course, if you have a policy, the termites came first.
    Don
    EDIT
    Anyone in the rental business needs to be familiar with the signs of termites. I had an apartment complex get taken over with them in '89. To this day I still see signs everwhere I go. Resturant owners and managers sometimes take offense when I tell them they have termites.
    Don

    1Reply
  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
    Moderator
    OP
    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    15y

    Thanks everyone.I am familiar with termites but I didn't know they ate paper or looked like this on a wall until yesterday.

    The sheet rock is dry and brittle and not wet.I did just have the roof redone about 2 weeks ago.This located on the end unit at the back side corner on the inside next to the sliding glass doors.

    I have been to all my other buildings inside and have not seen anything like this.I am going to bust open the walls and in the small area and see what I find.I have heard sometimes ants can eat the paper on the sheetrock as well.

    I will post pics again tomorrow.

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  • Don Hines
    Investor · Little Rock, AR · Member since 2010 · 628 posts · 251 votes
    15y
    Originally posted by Joel Owens:
    Thanks everyone.I am familiar with termites but I didn't know they ate paper or looked like this on a wall until yesterday.

    I load and unload barges for a living. About 10 years ago we had some news paper stock in our metal warehouse. We found termites eating this stuff too. Try getting approval to treat a metal building for termites once during your life!! :lol:
    Don

    0Reply
  • Kiran K
    Real Estate Investor · atlanta, GA · Member since 2008 · 80 posts · 15 votes
    15y

    It doesn't look like ants and if its ants you will see them outside atleast a little bit. termites hide from light.

    termites and ants don't go well together.

    I have had experience with ants and termites but not both at same place and my pest guy was telling me that ants like termites.

    either case dont like both of them cost too much money to get it taken care off.

    0Reply
  • Jeff B.
    Rental Property Investor · Taylor Mill, KY · Member since 2011 · 105 posts · 24 votes
    15y

    Termites it is. My primary house had 2 walls that looked similar. Termites had eaten the paper from the drywall from floor to ceiling. I was able to go along with my finger and poke the tunnels that they had eaten.

    Luckily, they hadn't done much damage to the wood structure and had chosen to go after the paper instead. Maybe the paper is easier for them to eat. After treating for termites, I replaced the drywall and fixed a small portion of the framing they had damaged and all was good. It did cost me about $1200 for the termite treatment though.

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  • Just Don
    Member since 2009 · 499 posts · 117 votes
    15y

    they actually prefer paper and their all time fav is cardboard. NO cardboard should be in any crawlspace or basement even in contact with cement floors or walls. Next worst thing is loose wood debris in yard, crawl space or basement. Guess they like the water it holds.

    Might start inspecting the area and all others with a screwdriver. Tap with a good force and if its solid no termites,,,if it is infested you will know,,thin wall barrier and inside all chewed up. They eat from the inside out.

    The new Canadian way of treating them is best way. It is putting tubes of what they like around. They drag insecticide home to their den and queen and kills whole colony. Treatment by spraying them is only a barrier and chases them to another easy location and doesnt kill a thing.

    0Reply
  • Aaron McGinnis
    Contractor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2008 · 978 posts · 985 votes
    15y

    Termites for sure. Looks like they may have been at it for awhile too.

    Remedy: Start pulling out sheetrock, wood, and everything else until you stop finding damage... then repair.

    0Reply
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