Termites created small hill? - Ask Extension
We had some stacked firewood in our back yard. We got rid of it about 2 years ago. We had wood there for 30+ years. In that same area we just notice a...
Knowledgebase
Termites created small hill? #274970
Asked September 01, 2015, 9:50 PM EDT
We had some stacked firewood in our back yard. We got rid of it about 2 years ago. We had wood there for 30+ years. In that same area we just notice about 20 small dirt stacked with little "pillars" coming out all over. There are a few closer to our house. They are more each day for the last 2 days. Could you tell us if it is termites? We have seen no signs in the house. This is the first in 36 years we have been here in the country.
Clinton County Michigan
Expert Response
Unless you are in Africa where termites build big cooling towers, these are not termites. Our termites are subterranean and are not seen above ground.
Since there is no scale to guess what size these sand piles are, they might be mounds pushed up by crayfish if there is a pond or other water source close by. They might be a mole, pushing up soil to create a vent and to move soil around for easier digging. Crayfish will make small piles with a visible hole on top and mole soil piles will just be a pile of soil pushed from below.
Since there is no scale to guess what size these sand piles are, they might be mounds pushed up by crayfish if there is a pond or other water source close by. They might be a mole, pushing up soil to create a vent and to move soil around for easier digging. Crayfish will make small piles with a visible hole on top and mole soil piles will just be a pile of soil pushed from below.
