Terminating Termites at Home
If you purchase a home in the Cook and DuPage County areas, you must get a termite inspection as part of the home-buying experience. These pre-purchase inspections are due to the common, well-known termite activity in the area and serve as safeguards for homeowners and those funding their new home purchase. Did you know that homeowners should continue to conduct these inspections to prevent termites from infesting their property and causing damage? Termite inspections are not a one-and-done service, because these pests can invade a home and remain out of sight long enough to make a mess and cause structural damage. Termites are fast-breeding insects that hide in warm spaces out of sight, so knowing where to look and what to look for can be helpful! Understanding more about termites, their behaviors, and how to identify them can help homeowners stay ahead of infestations and take measures to prevent them with a high-quality pest control plan.
How to Identify Termite Activity
Known as one of the sneakiest insects, termites can live in your home without being detected for long periods of time. The problem with that is that the longer they stay there, the more of them there are, the larger the infestation, and the more damage they can do. Wood-eating termites can cause structural damage over time, and their excrement and activity can make your home feel less welcoming. Early detection is key, and knowing what to look for is also essential. Some things people can look for in and around their home include damaged wood that sounds hollow and wings of termites, often found on window sills, door frames, and other points of entry into the garage, house, basement, and attic. Sagging floors can also indicate an infestation and should be investigated immediately. Once you recognize the signs, you probably already have an infestation. Do not hesitate to contact the professionals to help!
A professional termite inspector will conduct an inspection and recommend a treatment plan. In that case, there is no more knowledgeable termite inspection and pest control company than Bigfoot Pest Control. When it comes to finding and locating termites, accuracy matters, and local knowledge and decades of experience hit the target every time. Locally owned, operated, offering affordable and effective pest control, Bigfoot has an answer for any pest problems!
Treating Termites Doesn’t Have to Be Tenting
The circus-style tents that used to pop up all over the county were a sign of termite extermination. Once your neighbor did it, you often had to plan to protect your own property because the termites would find the next home unattended to infest. However, today there are also low-toxicity tentless methods. The most important thing about termites is that the treatments can be safe for families and pets in Cook County. Depending on the size of the property, the type of residence, and the specifics of the infestation site, treatments can vary. It is always recommended to find a reputable service provider to get the job done right the first time. There are different types of termites, which only an expert can identify and tailor a treatment plan to complete extermination, then treat to keep them away at a safe distance using a perimeter treatment.
Drywood and Subterranean Termites
Different types of termites can affect the Chicago area. Drywood termites infest dry wood without needing to contact soil, making them a threat. They use dry wood to build colonies and enter through windows and door frames. Other termites use the ground to build tunnels, but Drywood termites don’t need this to survive and infest a property. Subterranean termites look for warm spaces in the winter, and they look like soldiers, with straight antennae. Subterranean termites nest underground and build tunnels to reach wood and structures above ground. Subterranean termites, because they live in and use the soil, can damage wires, increasing the risk of a fire. Subterranean termites are active year-round, and when it rains, their activity may increase.
It is crucial to have an inspection that accurately identifies termites because treatments and exterminations can vary slightly. As you can imagine, subterranean termites have to have their underground nests treated to kill them at every stage in the life cycle. Anything left behind becomes an adult and can prolong the problem.
Termite Inspections and Reports
An experienced pest control company specializing in termite inspections and reporting is the most knowledgeable to inspect your home. Understanding which pests are infesting your home, how to get rid of them, and how to keep them away all require experience and the skills to get the job done quickly. If you live in Cook County or DuPage County, you can rely on the consistently excellent customer service and pest control that Bigfoot offers. We can help today, so don’t wait to call us at 847-891-8852 or fill out our easy-to-use contact form, and we will have one of our pest techs get back to you promptly!