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I found a mysterious 'trail' in my linen cupboard - then I discovered the disgusting reason it was there

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A mum was horrified when she discovered the reason behind a 'sinister' trail in her linen cupboard.

Karen, from Adelaide, was recently cleaning her home when she found a strange mound of mud in her closet.

The mum was confused as it seemed like an unlikely place for dirt to end up - but a quick community consult uncovered the truth: Karen's home had been infested with termites.

Before identifying the source of concert, Karen shared an image of the trail snaking out from her wall.

The image showed a wooden frame that seemed to be covered in dark mud.

A mum was horrified when she discovered a sign of something sinister in her linen cupboard

A mum was horrified when she discovered a sign of something sinister in her linen cupboard

'I just found this in my linen cupboard,' she said. 'Not sure what it is - at first I thought it was a wasp or ant nest but now I'm freaking out it might be termites.'

Karen eventually called pest control who revealed she had an 'aggressive' case of termites.

The professionals suspected that the critters had been in the home for years and a five-year solution of anti-termite liquid which the previous inhabitants used had expired.

Many were sympathetic to Karen's dilemma. 

'DO NOT REMOVE or DISTURB IT!' one warned. 'Get the pest person to come in to set up baits. If you tamper with it they will go elsewhere.'

Another advised, 'The old double brick homes were sometimes infilled with slab and termites have unseen access between the brick and slab joint. Having your plans handy for the inspector makes their job easier to look at possible entry points.'

Signs you have termites (and what you can do about it): 

Signs you may have termites

  • Mud trails leading up the sides of buildings
  • Accumulation of dried mud in the joins of door or window architraves
  • Blistering on door or window architrave, or skirting boards
  • Damp areas or moisture stains on walls
  • Faint tapping or chewing noises behind plaster walls
  • Power failures and build up of earthy materials around power points
  • Soft floor boards
  • During spring and autumn evenings large swarms of 'flying black ants' may actually be termite alates being released from the nest. This is strong indication termite colonies are present

What should you do if you suspect you have termites? 

DON'T

  • Try to guess what they are - even if you only suspect they might be termites follow our DO checklist below
  • Disturb them or investigate further - it will frighten them off and make it harder to treat them
  • Try to kill them with pest sprays, homemade connections or do-it-yourself methods off the internet - the only effective treatments for termites are through licensed pest controllers
  • Ignore them

DO

  • Stay calm
  • Take action immediately
  • Check your meter box for a termite or white ant treatment sticker - it will show the treatments or inspections previously undertaken and the company who performed them that you should contact
  • If there is no meter box sticker, contact an expert and get them to conduct a full inspection of the activity your home
  • Get the technician to explain the inspection process, extent of the termite activity, treatment options and how they work
  • If there appears to be damage, the technician will report on the extent of the damage
  • Once the termites have been treated make sure you have a termite inspection at least every year

Source: Termitrust 

Many were quick to identify the problem was being caused by termites in the wood

Many were quick to identify the problem was being caused by termites in the wood

The trail in Karen's cupboard is either a build up of termite droppings known as frass or a mud lead also known as a shelter tube.

Shelter tubes are small tunnels the pests create to move about the house protected from sunlight and other ants. 

According to Forensic Pest Management Services, mud tubes are a sign subterranean termites are present and are a 'red flag' for infestation. 

'When you spot a mud tube, the chances are that the termites have already made a home within your home, and it's crucial to partner with a professional termite controller for total extermination,' the professionals said. 

'However, you can prevent mud tubes by avoiding moist dirt around your home.'

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