PEST ENDERS, INC.

Pests of the Past

May: Termites

The purpose of this section is to provide quick and easy identification of various insects and rodents. The pest characteristics are relative to the Chicagoland area. While the insects and/or rodents are active in most parts of the country; the peak activity period will vary according to your location. You will find listed for each month the insect and/or rodent with a history of peak activity during that month. Pest enders has simplified the identification procedure. A more detailed identification process is available at the "pestweb" icon located at the bottom of the page. On screen prompts will guide you through a detailed identification process.

TERMITE SWARMERS :
There is only one species of Termite in the Chicago area. The Eastern Subterranean Termite. This species of termite lives just above the water table and well below the frost line. Established colonies may contains hundreds of thousands of worker termites. Most homeowners become aware they have a problem when thousands of reproductive swarmers emerge into a room during the late Spring (late April to May).

WORKER TERMITES
Swarmers are often mistaken for flying ants. The difference being that the termite swarmers immediately shed their (four) wings, while the ants walk around with their (two) wings for days. If you miss the actual swarming you will find thousands of transparent wings all over the floor in the area where the termites swarmed. Swarming will usually occur after a rain when the temperature has been in the 65 to 70 degree range for several days.

Another sure sign of termite activity is the discovery of shelter tubes on basement walls or floor joists or flooring in the basement area. Crumbling doorframes, baseboards, or window casings in first floor rooms are another sign of termite activity.These tubes are constructed of a sandy material and when brushed off will expose the pale white worker termite. Termites always eat the softwood between the grain in wood so you will find wood that is riddled with damage and packed with the sand. Termites never eat across the grain and always pack everything they are working in with the sand. The sand acts as a temperature control device as well as protection from ants that would prey on the termites. Worker termites are approximately 1/4 inch long. The swarmers are black and 1/4 inch in length. The termite is the only insect that is known to work 24 hours a day every day conditions permitting.

Control:
Control of Subterranean Termites is now accomplished using a sub soil injection of Termidor SC. This is accomplished by treating the soil beneath and around the effected structure with a termidor SC. This method requires the pressurized application of the termiticide Termidor SC around the exterior perimeter of structure in an continuious barrier to a depth of up to 4 feet. Treatment on the inside of structure is limited to areas of active infestations, and five (5) feet each side of infestation, only. Employing Termidor SC as the termiticide avoids the drilling of numerous holes in the basement floor. The worker termites bring then Termidor SC back to the colony, and spred it throughout the colony via the natural grooming process. Once ingested through the grooming process the termites in the colony will die. In larger established colonies it may take two (2) or three (3) months to eliminate the termite colony. There will also be an annual inspection each year following the initial years service.

Termite control is not for the unlicensed or poorly trained. Each structure is unique and must be inspected prior to any price being quoted. Expect prices to start at $1,400.00 and escalate as construction practices, conditions present and the total area to be treated increases. Annual inspection fees range from $105 and up depending on size of structure.

Call today for an inspection of your property. Click on contacts section of web page to locate the number nearest you or you may send e-mail to us at pestenders@smithereen.com. We welcome your comments or suggestions.