Expert: Sue Kayton - 10/15/2009

Question
I live in Shelby county, tn. I built a home in 1991. I put a screen in porch on the second floor made of cedar. I sit on the porch most every in the same place. I noticed last evening, on one of the studs a shiny substance and a closer look with a light it looked like termites. I checked and it did not have a pathway to the ground. I was on a couple of studs could this have been some kind of beetle tunneling inside the studs after so long of a time.

Answer
Could be just about anything.  Shiny substances are often the remnants of slime trails left by slugs or snails.  Most licensed pest control operators will give you a free inspection for termites or other wood-destroying pests, hoping to get you to hire them.  Suggest you call a few, and make sure they know you are NOT selling your house.  They charge for inspections related to a sale.