Question
QUESTION: Recently there's a growing evidence of black specks that look like debris left by some insect. They're small,so it's hard to tell what it is, but they don't move and don't appear to be the bugs. It's at the top of the tub where the caulking at the wall has cracked - I suspect that they're coming from inside the wall. It's an old townhouse. At first it was just a few specks, but it's increasing daily. I've sprayed Tilex (for the bleach factor) and Hot Shot Roach & Ant, but they're still coming. I know the old caulk needs to be scraped out and replaced, but I'd like to kill whatever it is first. Don't know if this is related, but I see a thousand-legs every day or so. I don't live below grade, but I am on ground level. Thank you for your help! What should I do?? I'd like to get rid of the thousand-legs too - they're creepy when you see them slithering along the wall, and some of them are an inch and a half long!

ANSWER: Norma,

If you brush the specks away how long does it take to re-appear? At this point I think the debris may be mold spores coming from mold growing behind the wall. Try putting tape loosely over the grout crack and see if the material accumulates on the tape. Post a follow up and I'll help you figure this out.

Jack DeAngelis
http://www.livingwithbugs.com



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks, Jack - I'll try the tape and see what happens. At this point the specks are recurring daily - with more specks - and the area is broadening over under the waterspout also.

Answer
Sounds more and more like mold growing behind that wall, and spreading. However, take a look at this page about drywood termites http://www.livingwithbugs.com/drywood_termite.html and tell me if you live within the red area on the map. I want to exclude these termites as a possible source of the specks.

Jack DeAngelis
http://www.livingwithbugs.com