A client reached out during remodeling. These holes were around the perimeter of the slab. 6-12” in from the exterior and spaced roughly 12-18” apart. I’ve reached out to contractors, continuing ed presenters, and termite contractors. The best anyone could come up with is maybe the homeowner drilled holes to handle flooding. There were grade & gutter issues (shocking!) which were corrected following the inspection. Any ideas? Thanks, Jim
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Looks like termicide holes to me. 12-18 inches is the prescribed distance.
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Mark agrees with Mark.
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Larry agrees with Mark & Mark.
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Thought of that, but those are supposed to be sealed after application. Of course not every contractor does the right thing. Hence our existence.
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100%. Add me to the list: Mark and Mark and the Funky Bunch (Larry and Me).
Marc Goldenberg, back me up here, but I’ve heard that Termites love some Good Vibrations
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Manny agrees with Larry, Mark, Mark, and Bert!
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I agree with everyone but Larry.
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Subterranean termites employ their ability of chemical & mechanical communication.
Chemical “signals” are pheromones to recognize the colony, food trails, etc.
Mechanical is vibrations for food trails, predator warning & Sunday dance party.
These blind guys are amazing. A typical colony could be 25,000 - 1,000,000
Home is pretty intricate tunnels & chambers (of course underground).
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Yes… … … …
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I agree with Manny …
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Thanks everyone
Termite treatment holes that never got sealed …
termicide per everyone.
Should have been filled with hydraulic cement before. That’s what should happen now: clean 'em out. Maybe put more chemical in. Hydraulic cement.
A Closer Look into Drywood Termite Detection Using Microwaves
https://www.pctonline.com/article/a-closer-look-into-drywood-termite-detection-using-microwaves/
And there are audio methods. Maybe snake oil, maybe magic juice.
Looking closely at the concrete there appears to have been rectangular blocks based on the color patterns. They may have been adhered with mortar of some type of adhesive which is evidenced by the lighter color representing the location of the rectangular blocks. The holes may have been for rebar used to keep the blocks in place. Without seeing the rest of the floor, I can’t offer other suggestions on what it might be.
I have the same holes at my personal home in Florida. I do have 2-3 holes that the plug is gone due to pressure washing the back patio.