Termite and Wood Boring Insects - What is it? (Termites)

Have pulled 10 of 14 windows out of the house so far. All of the rough openings are in decent shape for a 1975 Virginia spec build except for a couple with terminal dryrot due to leakage at the corner seems of the old aluminum windows. THAT SAID!... I took a window out yesterday and saw something that puzzled me. It's definately insects (he says with confidence) but I have no iea what. THE JAMB: first few interior millimeters of the jamb facing the opening are gone... enough to remove the old stamping from the framing lumber. The wood looks quite clean (versus other jambs that are dirty from 30 years of air / moisture leakage). The wood is "eaten" away every so slightly but very clearly with the grain. Salt texture granuals abound - grey-ish in color. Almost like a fine sand. No tunnelse per se but the residue left on the wall hints of pathwork but, again, the wood is exposed. The wood seems solid (nothing strange when you stab a screw driver into various spots). DRYWALL: Saved the stuff in imediate contact with the wood surface. Paper is eaten a very little bit off of the back and a very little bit of deterioiration on the drywall. EXTERIOR: Grading is VERY close to siding bottom but there are no visible tunnels on the slab edge (am going to fix this in the coming days all around the house as I am having new siding all over in 2 weeks). Am under contract with an exterminator. (Maybe should give him a quick call???).

ANY IDEAS?
ANYWHERE THAT I CAN POST A PHOTO FOR ALL TO SEE?

Post photos at www.photobucket.com (http://www.photobucket.com) or other photo site and post link here.

TP,
Cant do from work but will do this eve.

Indeed it is. I pulled the siding off of that corner of the house and found one (of four) studs just riddled with termite damage. Old though, I suspect, since the mud tubes were dry and powdery, and there were no signs of any live (or dead) insects after inspecting 12 contiguous stud cavities. I regulary check for new tubes at the inspection gap in the slab and have not seen anyhthing although I can now see where their old trail was (although I realise they could still be using cracks in the slab). They guy before me must have known although he didnt say anything when we bought (1.5 years ago). I have a termite company shoot into the ground around the house every 12 months and I assume that is what did them in. The little buggers were actually pretty selective: stuck to the back of the drywall paper virtually everywhere except that one stud corner. Main problem in my view? DRAINAGE! That needs fixin. If anyone has any good ideas I am all eardrums!

Address the moisture issues around your structure. Wood boring insects are attracted to moisture and moist wood. When was the last time the structure was treated for termites. Termidor, which is highly rated, tends to work for about 8 years. call an extermintor, replace affected wood. Keep in mind exterminators can only detect termites in visible areas, not invisible ones such as in wall cavities and other inconspicuous places. And, it's a challenge to apply termiticide without gaps. Maintain termite warranty with exterminator, which usually includes annual inspection.

Knothandy,

Knowing what the drainage problem is will determine what you should do to correct it. If you don't have any gutters and downspouts that could be the cause. Lack of properly placed downspouts can be the cause as well. Land sloping towards the house can cause drainage problems.
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1560.pdf

You should also find this site helpful. Here's a sample.
http://www.mda.state.md.us/plants-pests/pesticide_regulation/pesticide_info_for_consumers/termites_ants.php

3. Once my home is treated, am I guaranteed Against reinfestation of termites ?

Even if your home is treated, no one can guarantee that you will never have a termite problem again. Termites only need a small gap in the chemical barrier to continue to gain access to your home. If the soil around the home is disturbed, it can affect the chemical barrier and allow access for termites. For this reason, most pest control firms give a one year renewable arranty on termite work. Typically, the warranty states that if a reinfestation occurs during the lifetime of the warranty they will retreat at no cost to the consumer. Additionally, some firms also offer repair warranties that give coverage for termite damage that occurs subsequent to their treatment. Be sure you read and understand any warranty that is offered.

Newt