What is this?

[Merry Peters]

Are these ants or ????? See attached photos. It's a very dusty type dropping on the inner side of my door in between the door and the screen door, so the frame?http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/attachment.php?attachmentid=35146&stc=1http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/attachment.php?attachmentid=35147&stc=1http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/attachment.php?attachmentid=35148&stc=1http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/attachment.php?attachmentid=35149&stc=1http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/attachment.php?attachmentid=35150&stc=1Thanks in advance.

[Gunnar Alquist]

Hi Merry,

I do not know and judging from the dearth of responses, I suspect that no one else who has looked at that knows either.

The only suggestion that I can give you is to call an inspector who is licensed/knowledgeable about wood-destroying organisms (WDO) and have them come out to look. As an alternative, you might be able to gather some up and take it to a WDO inspection company and ask.

[Merry Peters]

Thank you, Gunnar, for replying. I will have someone come out and take a look. I was hoping someone knew what it was, so I would be a step ahead.

Merry


Hi Merry,

I do not know and judging from the dearth of responses, I suspect that no one else who has looked at that knows either.

The only suggestion that I can give you is to call an inspector who is licensed/knowledgeable about wood-destroying organisms (WDO) and have them come out to look. As an alternative, you might be able to gather some up and take it to a WDO inspection company and ask.

[Jerry Peck]

Gunnar gave the best advice - the photos are not of such focus and resolution that I can tell much at all.

'Mud-like' residue closing up the openings? Possibly subterranean termites.

'Bearing' like pellets (roll around like stepping on bearings)? Possibly drywood termites.

'Powder-like' substance on threshold? Possibly beetles of some type.

However, as Gunnar said - you need someone to see it up close and personal to make a better than "possibly" guess.

[Merry Peters]

Thank you, Jerry. The only thing I see in your list is a powder-like substance (yellowish in color) and it has fallen from above, getting caught in some spider webs along the way down. I actually see nothing above, but then I'm not an expert. I will have a professional come out.

No mud-like residue and no pellets. No eggs.

I apologize for the poor pics. Guess I have a shaky hand or reduced them too much in size.

Merry


Gunnar gave the best advice - the photos are not of such focus and resolution that I can tell much at all.

'Mud-like' residue closing up the openings? Possibly subterranean termites.

'Bearing' like pellets (roll around like stepping on bearings)? Possibly drywood termites.

'Powder-like' substance on threshold? Possibly beetles of some type.

However, as Gunnar said - you need someone to see it up close and personal to make a better than "possibly" guess.

[ROBERT YOUNG]

Are these ants or ????? See attached photos. It's a very dusty type dropping on the inner side of my door in between the door and the screen door, so the frame?

My guess...Carpenter ants are some of the largest, structural dwelling ants that live in many parts of the forested world.