Give it to me straight - does it look like termite damage?

[George P.]

http://claspics.com/540/680708/ - does it look like termite damage ?

[Steve Babiak]

Preface this post with "I'm not a wood destroying insect expert".

Almost certainly, it's some kind of insect damage. It doesn't look like termite damage that I'm used to seeing; when I suspect termite damage, I look for the mud tunnels/tubes leading toward the damaged area, and I also expect the damaged area to somewhat resemble corrugated cardboard. So I'd guess some other kind of insect sommon to your area (or some termite that doesn't behave the same way as the ones I've seen).

Check out pictures online to try for a match; here are some links:

http://www.doityourselftermitecontrol.com/inspections.htm

http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=termite+damage+image

Good luck.