Cheshire Karen

We are in a rental property (1980's highset) and I have just noticed some really dodgy looking insect casts on the exposed roof timbers in the garage. Can't tell if they are fresh or old.

I've looked up termite tunnels on the internet and although there is a similarity, in that they are tubes, these tubes are singular in nature and stuck in the creases of the timber, rather than hanging down and all connected. I would describe them as casts rather than tunnels.

Is it probally termites or some other kind of insect?
Our lease is up for renewal shortly, if its termites, should we look for another rental?

This may be really daft, but I assume they will attack my wooden furniture if left untreated?

I'm going to call the agents tomorrow but just got a bit pannicky so thought I'd post.

Thanks

BadgeIsBack

Difficult to say really without a picture.

They cannot just attack your furniture. They would need to build a tunnel to the chair from an existing nest. Or after a swarm, a queen would have to nest in the chair(!) and start a colony....

Siren & Brian

Tell the owner/agent asap a say you think there may be termite activity and they should send someone out pretty quick to check and rectify.

wanderingwombat

Dont you mean throne??? ;-)

WW

ukecadet

I would say that it is probably not white ant as they are subterranean and wont be hanging from the rafters.More than likely some form of wasp.Goto the CSIRO website.Heaps of info on there.Don't panic.Foot note.I had an entire LP collection munched away by ants.They ate the sleeves and nested between the vinyl

MartinLuther

My guess is that they belong to native wasps.

steve`o

i think it sounds like mud wasps they are fascinating to watch when they build their "homes"

http://www.csiro.au/resources/ps1ww.html

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?im...AU244%26sa%3DN

ukecadet

I agree

ukecadet

nice one

moneypenny20

I'd say so. I like watching them build and then breaking them up - must be my evil side

BadgeIsBack

I've seen a house with subterrean termites that have trails hanging a little from floor joists - and subterrean mites will climb up walls to roof spaces, admmitedly they don't like to stray too far from nest or subnest - dependant on how far it is.

Cheshire Karen

Thanks so much everyone, after having looked at the pics, I am pretty sure they are mud wasps but will get it checked out just in case.

I haven't noticed an excess of wasps in the garage but there have been a few flying around the front deck. It all becomes clear.

MartinLuther

Aussie wasps tend to be solitary so you don't notice them as much as European ones.

joh117

Hey Karen

I dont know if it isnt you with termites/wasps its me with fleas!!!!!

Hope A arrived back safely

Jo

ukecadet

Thank you, David Attenborough