Termites eat through your Chicago home the way you eat through a slice of deep-dish pizza. They are a silent but active threat, causing structural damage and costly repairs. Read on to learn how to get rid of termites in Chicago.
Termite Treatment Options in Chicago
Getting termites out of your home is no walk in Millennium Park. It can be a time-consuming and inconvenient process, but it’s worth it to avoid being eaten out of your house and home.
Here are the most effective methods for getting rid of termites in Chicago:
Whole-Structure Treatments
Whole-structure termite treatments are used to treat the whole structure, not just an affected area.
These treatments include:
Bait Stations
An effective treatment against subterranean termites, bait stations are placed around the perimeter of the home, either above-ground or in-ground. The inside of the bait station is filled with cellulose materials laced with insecticides to eliminate the colony slowly.
Liquid Termiticides
Liquid termiticides are used to tackle drywood and subterranean termites. They can be used before or after construction. By pouring termiticide into the soil around the perimeter of existing homes or in the ground before the concrete is poured for new homes, you create a barrier that protects your foundation against termites.
The process usually involves digging a trench around the perimeter or drilling holes into the concrete to apply the termiticide. Other methods involve spraying the wood directly or using a foam treatment inside the walls.
Fumigation
Also known as termite tenting, this method is used against drywood termites. This treatment involves covering the entire structure of your home in a large tent and releasing a colorless, odorless gas known as sulfuryl fluoride into the home for 24-72 hours to eliminate a termite infestation.
Localized Treatments
Mainly ideal for drywood termites, localized treatments target the area of the home already affected by termites.
These treatments include:
Microwave Treatment
If you want a chemical-free, eco-friendly treatment against drywood termites, you can use microwave treatments to target and eliminate the infestation. Microwave generators emit controlled microwaves to raise the temperature of the affected areas to kill the termites. This treatment is ideal for controlling termites in small spaces.
Liquid Nitrogen
You can freeze out termites by pumping liquid nitrogen into the affected area. This will drop the wood’s temperature to about -20 degrees. However, liquid nitrogen is dangerous and should be applied only by a professional. This treatment is best for drywood termites.
Electro-gun
An electro-gun is a handheld device that uses a high voltage (90,000 volts) to shock and kill termites throughout the wood. This treatment method is most effective against drywood termites. These guns are dangerous and unavailable to the public and should only be used by a trained pest control professional
Orange Oil
Orange oil is made from orange rinds. It contains a chemical called d-limonene, which is toxic to termites. You can successfully eliminate the colony by injecting orange oil into the infested wood and saturating it. This treatment is effective against drywood, dampwood, and subterranean termites.
Heat Treatments
You can eliminate a drywood termite infestation by hiring a pro to heat your home (or a single room) to at least 120 degrees for 33 minutes. This method targets specific areas in the home and is often used in both apartments and single-family homes. Heat-sensitive items will need to be removed before treatment begins.
This method is very effective, but keep in mind that it can be difficult for wood connected to tile or concrete to reach a temperature that is lethal to termites.
Borate Treatments
Sodium borate is an effective treatment against small colonies of termites. When the wood is treated with a borax and water solution, the termites will ingest it, making them unable to break down cellulose, thus starving them to death.
Signs of Termites
Termites can do a lot of damage if they go undetected. Keeping an eye out for common physical signs of a termite infestation can help avoid costly damages.
Here are the common signs of termites:
- Bubbling/peeling paint
- Clicking noises
- Crumbling baseboards
- Dead termite swarmers/discarded wings
- Hollow-sounding wood
- Jammed doors and windows
- Loose tiles
- Mud tubes from the soil to above-ground wood
- Piles of termite frass (drywood only)
- Sagging/buckling floors (Read more on this topic in our article: “Termite Damage in Wood Floors“)
- Squeaky floorboards
Types of Termites in Chicago
The most common types of termite in Illinois and Chicago are subterranean termites, with the occasional drywood termite colony appearing as well.
Subterranean Termites
Though smaller than other termite species (1/8 to 3/8 inch long), subterranean termites are the most destructive and the most common in the United States. Mature colonies are large, containing up to several hundred thousand termites.
Subterranean termites get their moisture from the soil and prefer dark, moist environments where they can make their underground burrows. They use their frass to construct mud tubes so they can safely travel in the open air without dehydrating.
Chicago is mainly home to eastern subterranean termites.
Drywood Termites
Drywood termites prefer areas with high humidity, building their nests above ground in dry wood. They don’t make contact with the soil; instead, they get their moisture from the wood they consume. They have relatively small colonies that host up to a few thousand termites.
One of the most common signs of drywood termites is piles of frass (termite droppings) that resemble small mounds of salt or pepper pushed outside their exit holes in the wood.
Western drywood termite colonies will occasionally pop up in Chicago, but they are rare.
How to Prevent Termites in Chicago
The best way to prevent termites is to avoid giving them a damp, cellulose-rich environment to thrive in.
Here are the best tips for preventing termites in Chicago:
- Keep cellulose material away from your home: Firewood, cardboard, and newspaper should be kept 20-30 feet from your foundation. If you use wood mulch, be sure to spread it 6-12 inches away from the foundation.
- Treat and seal wooden furniture with oil-based varnishes. You can also treat above-ground posts with borate spray.
- Fill any cracks or openings with caulk to prevent termites from entering your home.
- Clean and maintain your gutters: When gutters clog, they overflow, causing moisture buildup around your foundation. This moisture is attractive to termites.
- Invest in an annual termite inspection.
- Don’t overwater your grass: Too much water will create excess moisture, inviting termites to make themselves at home.
- Repair leaky pipes and faucets: This will prevent moisture from accumulating and rotting the wood of your home.
- Remove stumps, logs, and dead trees from your lawn: These will attract termites, so the sooner they’re far away from your property, the better.
- Seal gaps in doors and windows: This will prevent termites from having easy access into your home.
- Don’t store firewood inside the home: Termites will already be attracted to firewood, so storing it inside may invite an infestation.
- Turn off lights at night: Termites are attracted to and will swarm around lights, which can indirectly lead them inside your home.
How Much Does Termite Treatment Cost in Chicago?
The average national cost for termite treatment can range between $275 and $863, with most homeowners paying $558. High-end termite treatment can cost up to $1,390, while termite treatment on the lower end can cost as little as $135.
Residents of the Windy City can expect to pay something around $295 – $1,728 for their termite treatment.
If termites have already eaten through your home, termite damage repairs cost homeowners an average of $2,600, depending on the amount of damage.
FAQ About Termites in Chicago
Can I Sue My Landlord If My Chicago Apartment Has Termites?
Yes, landlords are legally responsible for maintaining a pest-free environment — that includes termites. Tenants are responsible for reporting a pest issue, and landlords are responsible for taking the necessary steps to fix the problem within a reasonable time.
If you can prove that your landlord has been negligent or ignored your complaint, then they can be held liable.
Do Termites Carry Diseases?
Termites are not vectors of disease to humans, but their frass and wood dust can irritate the respiratory system, especially in people with asthma.
Keep in mind that the presence of termites implies excess moisture in your home, which causes mold—another source of respiratory issues.
When is Termite Season in Chicago?
Because they can burrow underground to stay warm, termites are year-round pests. The reproductive winged termites tend to swarm during the months of March and May.
Hire a Pro
If your Chi-town home is infested by your native termite species, let Pest Gnome connect you with a local termite control pro today for termite or other pest issues.
Main Photo Credit: Tierney / Adobe Stock Free / License
