forsmant

We started a project yesturday that included removing siding off of two walls. On one side after we tore off the siding revealed carpenter ants and their dust trails at least four feet up the building. (Cedar siding) The rim joist and the black jack in two spots were falling apart. This are reveled termite damage and termite trails to the dirt. THe foundation is only two inches above grade at most. THe HO said the dirt was on the siding when they moved in years ago. DO carpenter ants eat termites? How are they living so close to each other?

There is also a large dying tree maybe four feet away from this wall and a horrible drainage plan. The neighbors house sits 5 feet higher and slopes directly into this side of the house. Clearly a recipie for disaster. TOday we replaced the eaten rim and four feet of sheathng along the wall. THere was also a bug guy out to spray but he wants to wait to treat the termites until our addition is done. I wonder why they dont just cut down the tree and fix the drainage problem with a retaining wall or something? Either way we will build an addition on this house. Just curious as I have never ran across both pests on the same wall before.