Termites

What You Should Know About Termites

In terms of pests, termites rank near the top of the list because they’re one of the most destructive pests. One thing to note is that they’re social creatures and always work together for the good of the termite colony. Whether they’re searching for food or trying to start new colonies, they work together. As a result, they’re a difficult pest to eliminate from your property. Termites consume cellulose, which can be found in various products and materials, including plants, furniture, cardboard, paper, and lumber. Suffice to say, termites will quickly destroy your home and make it unsafe.

When a termite colony gets too large for its current underground nest, the colony will build termite mounds. The mounds are visible so they’re easier to see. If you find mounds around your home, you have a large termite colony on your property, and it is likely feasting on your home. Some termites will build nests and take shelter in wood. They can build mud tubes to reach food sources without being exposed to predators. The United States is crawling with many termites species, but the most common is the Subterranean termite which is responsible for 95% of the structural damage in the United States.

Termites, Colonies, & Classes

Termites are unique because they have a class system. Each termite fits into a specific class and has unique responsibilities as a result. Below, you’ll learn more about common termite classes.

Queens

As you would expect, the queen termite is responsible for breeding and reproducing. She is the biggest member of the colony and one of the most important as well. They can grow up to 4 inches long making it difficult for them to move around the colony’s tunnels. However, it is possible when she has help from hundreds of worker termites.

Regardless, the queen helps expand the colony. When the colony is getting started, the queen will work with the king to produce an adequate number of workers and nymphs. On average, a queen termite can produce as many as 30,000 eggs in 24 hours.

Kings

King termites also fit into the primary reproductive category. He will work with his queen to produce more termites for the colony. The king and queen are vital during the colony’s early days because they produce the worker termites needed to build the colony. In addition to this, they produce enough soldiers to defend the colony.

Workers

Worker termites are just that. They’re the hardest workers in the colony because they perform so many responsibilities. The workers help build tunnels, find food, groom other termites, and feed other termites. Workers never stop working. The only problem for worker termites is that they can’t defend themselves since they have soft bodies.

They’re light with no wings. Most worker termites rarely grow up to 10mm in length and resemble a grain of rice.

Soldiers

The queen and king will produce enough soldier termites to properly defend the colony. They’re similar to worker termites because they’re white with soft bodies and have no wings. However, there are two main differences. Soldier termites have powerful jaws and longer heads. When they’re approached by predators, they can use these characteristics to fight off predators.

Although they’ll combat other predators, they primarily face off against ants.

Swarmers Or Winged Reproductive Termites

Winged reproductives or swarmers are typically produced during the spring months. King and queen termites will produce male and female swarmer termites. These termites will develop wings and fly away from the parent colony. Their primary goal is to build new colonies elsewhere. Although a termite colony will only have one king and one queen, it can have hundreds of swarmers.

Termite Species In Chicago

There might be other termite species in Chicago, but the most concerning is the Subterranean termite. This type of termite is commonly found in Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and across the United States.

More About Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites are similar to other species of termites. They live in colonies with specific classes, including workers, soldiers, kings, queens, and swarmers. The appearance depends on the role. Worker termites and soldier termites share many appearance similarities since both are roughly 3/8ths of an inch long. The only difference is that soldiers have powerful jaws and larger heads. As for swarmers, they can reach half an inch.

Activities

These termites prefer living in underground nests, but they may move above ground at some point. In general, they can live above ground as long as the area is moist. When they need to reach nearby food sources, they’ll build mud tubes for protection. Subterranean termites will eat any product that contains cellulose. When spring arrives, you’ll find termite swarmers on your property because they’re going to start building new colonies.

Concerns

You cannot ignore a Subterranean termite infestation because it is immensely risky. Although they’re not dangerous to humans and pets, they will destroy your valuable belongings, including your home. They chew through wood and cause thousands of dollars in property damage. If left untreated, they’ll leave your home uninhabitable.

Flying Ants Vs Flying Termites

Although they look similar, flying termites and flying ants are remarkably different. Below, you’ll learn more about these differences.

• Wings – Are the wings two different sizes? If so, it is a flying ant. Another thing to note is that flying ant wings are tougher than flying termite wings.
• Waist – Flying ants have unique waists that are pinched in the middle. Flying termites do not.
• Antennas – Flying termites have straight antennas. As for ants, they have elbowed antennas.

Unique Things About Termites

• Termites will never stop destroying your property. They’ll eat and destroy your property every hour of the day.
• A termite colony is not going to disappear quickly. It may stick around for 50, 60, or even 70 years.
• The termite colony on your property might be home to hundreds of thousands of insects.
• Termite colonies provide benefits to the environment since they help get rid of deadwood.
• Most termites cannot live without having access to water. If they can’t get water, they’ll dry out and die.
• When living above ground, Subterranean termites use mud tubes. To ensure their survival, they’ll need to keep the tubes wet.
• Ants often destroy termites and their colonies.
• By working with a professional and using the right methods, you can eliminate the termite colony.
• More than 2,000 species of termites roam the world.
• Subterranean termites are the most destructive termites in the United States.
• They won’t and can’t eat termite, but they can travel through its cracks.
• Worker termites digest cellulose and feed it to other colony members.
• Queen termites live more than 20 years and produce thousands of eggs each day.

Primary Risks Of Termite Infestations

Termites are not dangerous and can’t make you risk. Nevertheless, they will cause an abundance of problems for homeowners, renters, landlords, and business owners. Why? Termites destroy wood items. These pests will cause an indirect threat since they’ll destroy your property. If you don’t work to fix the problem swiftly, there is a chance that your home is going to become uninhabitable.

Removing Termites From Your Property

It won’t be easy to remove termites from your property since some travel up to 300 feet away from their parent colony. In addition to this, they’ll use underground tunnels to move around, so you won’t see them. Since they’re so difficult to spot, they’re even harder to eliminate. If you believe you have termites on your property, call us. We offer inspection and remediation services. We’ll help you fix this problem before it destroys your home.

Is DIY Pest Control Suitable For Termite Infestations?

It is no unusual for consumers to consider DIY pest control products for termite infestations. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee these products will work for a full-blown infestation. They may be effective in eradicating a few termites but will have little to no impact on an infestation.

If you are in need of an effective termite extermination strategy, just know our professional pest management is only a phone call away. Our extermination prices are competitive with our top Chicago competitors.

How Long Does It Take To Process A Termite Inspection Request?

We can process a pest control service request within 24 and 48 hours. Once your service request is processed, one of our qualified exterminators will reach out to you about your schedule. We are available seven days a week to ensure full access to Chicago’s best termite control.

Does Termite Pest Control Products Harm The Environment?

Chemical pest control products may be harmful to humans, animals, and the environment. Thanks to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), exterminators across Illinois can utilize chemical pesticides and insecticides with little to no environmental risks. The EPA oversees the development of existing and new pesticides in the United States.

To further minimize the environmental hazards associated with chemical pesticides, our exterminators have joined forces with the top brands. By heeding the brands’ recommendations, it is possible to eradicate termite infestations safely, fully, and efficiently.

Which Prevention Strategy Works For Termite Infestations?

An initial termite infestation can result in a repeat infestation if prevention is ignored. Unfortunately, termites are diligent insects that do not give up easily. These social insects live, travel, feed, and work in colonies of all sizes. Successful pest control is impossible if a single termite goes unscathed. This is very unfortunate for every party involved, especially the victims. And, it could be days, weeks, or months before you discover the mishap.

Prevent a repeat termite infestation by following the tips provided in the content below.

• Install an underground drainage system to capture and divert runoff and rainwater away from your home’s foundation.
• Replace or repair plumbing leaks
• Install PVC drainage pipes to capture and divert condensation from your heat pump away from your home.
• Lower humidity in crawlspaces, basements, and bathrooms with dehumidifiers and vents.
• The transition from wood mulch to rubber mulch
• Develop an inspection regimen to ensure early termite detection.
• Contact our Chicago exterminators to request a free inspection and consultation today!