I found these weird dirt tunnels running up the support beams in my basement. I poked one and it crumbled, but it looks like they go all the way to the subfloor. Is this serious?

months, depending on the size of the colony and the conditions. This means that even a small infestation can lead to considerable structural damage over time if not addressed promptly.

To determine if the termites are still active, look for fresh mud tubes with a moist, clay-like appearance. You can break open a section of the tube and check for live termites, which are small, pale insects with soft bodies. If you see live termites or the tube is quickly