Basement Boxes Eaten by Termites?

Beware of what you may find in your basement (or any concrete slab on soil). If you find that your boxes have no bottoms and there is dirt present, you may have termites. Worker termites are pale, cream-colored insects about a ¼" in length.  I think they look like a piece of cooked white rice with legs. The presence of soil indicates that the termites are the subterranean variety, the most common in North America. Don't panic, but do call a professional (or two or three).

I don't recommend that homeowners tackle termite treatments themselves, because if the treatment is unsuccessful, the damage can be extremely costly. In addition, the chemicals involved are very long-lasting and should be handled and applied with great caution. Perhaps you will be lucky and the professional assistance, you can rule out termites altogether. I recommend getting multiple opinions unless you are certain that your pest management provider is a totally honest and fair service provider.