With its rolling farmlands, large stretches of forests, and cozy small towns, Indiana might seem like an idyllic place free from pest worries. Sadly, looks can be deceiving. The Hoosier State is a hotspot for the Eastern subterranean termite, a remarkably destructive pest that poses significant threats to your home.
In fact, Indiana is prone to moderate to heavy termite infestations, especially in structures made of Douglas Fir and similar timber, so it pays to be vigilant against these marauding critters.
Key Takeaways
- Conditions are favorable for termite activity: Indiana’s humid but temperate climate is ideal for termites.
- Termites are active throughout Indiana: Indiana has a moderate to heavy risk of termite infestation. The main and most highly destructive species here is the Eastern subterranean termite.
- Termite swarming season: Termite swarms usually occur between March and May, during the day and after spring rains.
- Termite treatment cost: The price for termite control varies, but on average, treatment in Indiana ranges from $100 to $620.
Are There Termites in Indiana?
Unfortunately, termites really like Hoosier hospitality, so they’re readily found across Indiana. Due to the warm, relatively humid summer months, termites find Indiana a comfortable environment.
According to Termite Infestation Probability Zones (TIP Zones), Indiana falls into Zone #2, indicating a moderate to heavy likelihood that your home could play host to these wood-hungry insects. A termite presence in the Hoosier State requires property owners to be proactive about inspections and preventative measures.
Types of Termites in Indiana
Here’s a no-so-fun fact: Indiana is home to the highly destructive Eastern subterranean termite. While homeowners may not be thrilled by this knowledge, understanding the enemy is the first step in effective defense.
Sure, there’s a slim chance that Drywood termites could hitch a ride into the state on, say, a piece of furniture or imported lumber, but it’s not common for them to establish themselves in Indiana’s climate. That means the subterranean ones are your real nemesis here.
Formosan termites? Nothing to worry about as they prefer the sunnier South and haven’t made their way up to Indiana yet.
Eastern Subterranean Termites
The main protagonists (or villains, depending on your point of view) of the termite world in Indiana are the Eastern subterranean termites. These little critters love Indiana’s soil and, of course, the sheer amount of wood available to munch on.
They’re a hungry lot, growing their colonies deep underground that can house up to one million members, and they are notorious for the extensive damage they can cause to homes and other structures.
Scientific name: Reticulitermes flavipes
Appearance:
- Workers: creamy white;
- Soldiers: characterized by strong jaws and a brownish head;
- Swarmers: black or dark brown with translucent wings.
Size:
- Workers: 1/8-inch long;
- Soldiers: similar in size to workers, 1/8-inch long, but feature larger heads and mandibles.;
- Swarmers: about 3/8-inch long, including their wings.
Drywood Termites
While Drywood termites might not be the main termite worry in Indiana, it’s still good to know about them. On the rare occasion that they do find their way into Indiana, typically through the accidental transport of infested wood or household items, they could technically survive and cause damage if not promptly addressed.
These termites are known for living directly in the wood they consume and don’t need contact with soil or moisture sources, unlike their subterranean cousins. They’re harder to detect early due to their cryptic lifestyle, often coming to light only when they’ve done significant damage.
Scientific name: Incisitermes spp.
Appearance:
- Workers: creamy white;
- Soldiers: characterized by strong jaws and a brownish head;
- Swarmers: black or dark brown with translucent wings.
Size:
- Workers: 5/16-inch long.
- Soldiers: 3/8-inch long.
- Swarmers: 1/2-inch long, including wings.
Termites in Different Regions of Indiana
| Northern Indiana | Central Indiana | Southern Indiana |
| Eastern Subterranean Termites | Eastern Subterranean Termites | Eastern Subterranean Termites |
When Do Termites Swarm in Indiana?
In Indiana, the Eastern subterranean termite swarms usually take place from March to May, most commonly after warm rainfalls, which is when the ground is moist and favorable for new colony establishment.
These swarms often occur during the day, as opposed to their drywood counterparts, who tend to prefer warm evenings or nights for this activity.
Signs of Termites in Indiana
No Hoosier wants to find out too late that their home has been on the termite menu. Regular inspections are important, but there are other telltale signs that might indicate a termite infestation:
- Swarmers: The appearance of swarmers is a strong indication of nearby nests. These winged termites emerge from the colony to mate and establish new colonies.
- Mud tubes: These pencil-width pathways allow subterranean termites to traverse between their nest and food sources while avoiding exposure.
- Damaged or hollow wood: Termites eat from the inside out, leaving a thin veneer of timber or paint. When you knock on wood affected by termites, it may sound oddly hollow or papery.
- Wonky floors or walls: If your floors start to sag or your walls seem to bend, termites might be eating the wood underneath.
- Discarded wings: After swarming, termite alates shed their wings; finding piles near windowsills or doors can hint at recent swarming activity.
How to Get Rid of Termites in Indiana
Indiana folks aren’t known for backing down from a challenge, and getting rid of termites is no different. Here’s what can be done:
1. Start with a Professional Inspection
Before you put on your battle gear, it helps to understand the magnitude of your termite problem. Pros have the eyes and the know-how to spot the signs that you might miss and can recommend a treatment plan specific to your situation. On average, a termite inspection costs between $82 and $260.
How it’s done: A termite inspector will meticulously examine your home’s interior and exterior, focusing on the basement, foundation, and attics, where termites often first make their appearance. They’ll look for evidence like mud tubes, wood damage, and discarded wings.
2. Liquid Termiticides
Liquid termiticides are a go-to method for creating a chemical barrier in the soil around your home. They’re pretty efficient at not just getting rid of the termites but also preventing them from returning. A professional will treat the perimeter of your foundation, ensuring that those tiny invaders can’t sneak back in.
How it’s done: An exterminator digs a seven-inch-deep trench around the home’s foundation, applying the termiticide into the soil to create a continuous barrier. The termiticide is also injected into specific points along the foundation using rods to reach the soil beneath.
3. Termite Baiting Systems
Termite baiting systems work on a different principle than liquid termiticides. They’re less about immediate kills and more about long-term control, luring termites away from your home and eventually leading to the colony’s demise.
How it’s done: Termite baits are installed by creating holes at regular intervals around the property and then inserting the bait stations. They work by providing a tempting food source treated with a slow-acting poison. The termites dine, return to the colony, and share their toxic takeaway, resulting in a domino effect of demise throughout the entire colony.
4. Fumigation
This method involves wrapping up your home and introducing a gas that permeates throughout, killing off the termites. It’s a bit drastic and means you’ll have to vacate for a few days, but it’s also one of the most thorough ways to clear an infestation.
How it’s done: The house is completely covered with a fumigation tent to contain the gas. A fumigant is then released inside to penetrate all infested wood and areas where termites live. After the process, the house must be aerated thoroughly before it is safe to return.
5. Heat Treatment
Heat treatment is an environmentally friendly option that involves cranking up the temperature in your home to a point where the termites simply can’t survive. Specialized equipment is used to apply intense heat to infested areas, cooking the termites right out of your woodwork.
How it’s done: Professionals bring in heaters and raise the temperature of your infested home or specific areas to about 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit, which is lethal to termites. They monitor the temperature closely to reach all the spots where termites may hide without damaging your home.
6. Boric Acid
This is a less aggressive but still effective approach, particularly for smaller infestations or as part of a maintenance plan. Boric acid disrupts termites’ digestion and can be used in powder or bait form.
How it’s done: Boric acid powder can be applied directly onto termite-infested wood or near entry points. Sprinkle it onto affected areas or use it to treat wood before you notice any problems. When used as bait, it’s combined with feed that termites love. Once ingested, the boric acid poisons the termite’s digestive system, leading to its death.
How to Prevent Termites in Indiana
Keeping termites from making an appetizer out of your home is all about defense, vigilance, and a bit of common sense. Let’s walk you through a battle plan for termite prevention that’s both practical and effective for keeping your Indiana home secure, season after season.
Here’s a guide on keeping those termites at bay:
1. Reduce Moisture
Termites thirst for moisture, so make sure water doesn’t pool around your foundation. Redirect it with proper gutters and downspouts, maintain all plumbing to prevent leaks, and use dehumidifiers in damp basements or crawl spaces.
- Inspect for and repair any leaks in your roof, pipes, and HVAC units.
- Keep basements, attics, and crawl spaces well-ventilated and dry.
- Divert water away from your foundation with properly functioning gutters, downspouts, and splash blocks.
- Ensure the soil around the foundation slopes away from your house, preventing water accumulation.
2. Keep Wood Away From the Ground
Termites can’t resist wood directly touching the soil. By creating a buffer between the earth and wooden structures, you’ll make it tougher for termites to get to their favorite food.
- Eliminate any wood-to-soil contact around your foundation, including the wooden siding, door, and window frames.
- Use concrete bases, or metal stands to elevate wooden posts and backyard decks from the soil.
- Store firewood and lumber away from the house on raised non-wood platforms.
3. Termite-Resistant Materials
Strong fortifications start with the right materials. When repairing or building, it pays to invest in materials that are less appealing to termites:
- Use termite-resistant materials for deck, fencing, and other outdoor uses.
- Treat susceptible materials like wood decks and fences with termite repellents and protectants.
- Add physical barriers during construction that prevent termites from entering through the ground.
4. Regular Inspections
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just learning the ropes, having a professional eye check out your home annually can catch problems early. Termite experts are trained to detect even the sneakiest of infestations.
- Schedule annual inspections with a certified termite inspector to catch any early signs of termite activity.
- Perform regular DIY checks, especially after rains and warm spells, for telltale signs like mud tubes or hollow-sounding wood.
5. Seal Entry Points
Inspect your home’s exterior and patch up cracks or holes in the foundation, near windows, and around utility lines or pipes. Termites sometimes squeeze through tiny gaps, so sealing these entry points can be a strong deterrent.
- Use concrete mortar or an appropriate sealant for small cracks in the foundation.
- Fill in gaps around utility lines and pipes with steel wool, copper mesh, caulk, or expandable foam sealants.
- Check vents, windows, and doors for broken screens or weather-stripping that might offer termites easy access to your home’s delicious wooden innards.
6. Landscaping with Care
Keep plants and mulch away from the side of your house, about 18 inches should do it to create a dry zone that termites will find less attractive.
- Trim back shrubs, bushes, and other dense greenery from the exterior of your home to improve airflow and reduce moisture.
- Use pine needles or rubber mulch instead of wood mulch, or keep wood mulch at least 6 inches away from the foundation.
- Remove decayed trees, stumps, and old roots around your property, as they can attract termites.
7. Use Borates on Wood Surfaces
Spraying borate solutions onto wood surfaces before painting or sealing them can make those surfaces poisonous to termite munchers.
- Consult with pest control professionals to apply a preventative barrier treatment around your home, such as termiticide or bait systems.
- Consider installing bait stations as an early warning system and regularly monitor them for termite activity.
8. Professional Barrier Treatments
If you like being extra cautious, consider investing in professional barrier treatments around potential entry points into your home for an additional line of defense against termites.
- Professionals can treat soil around your home with termiticides to create a long-lasting barrier.
- Termite barriers often require trenching or drilling, which should only be done by trained professionals.
Cost of Termite Treatment in Indiana
While nobody enjoys spending money on pests, the cost of termite treatment is certainly lower than the extensive damage these critters could cause if left to their own devices. The national average cost of termite treatment ranges between $275 and $863.
However, prices can vary based on the size of your home, the severity of the infestation, and the treatment method. Doing some preventative work yourself can help control costs.
In Indiana, termite treatment typically costs between $100 and $620 for an average-sized home. More extensive infestations or larger properties may command higher fees.
FAQs
What time of year should I be most vigilant about termites?
Keep a keen eye out during the warmer seasons, particularly from spring to early fall. Termites are most active and likely to swarm during this period.
Do you need a license to inspect for termites in Indiana?
In Indiana, to legally perform termite inspections, you must be both certified and licensed. Certification is obtained through training and passing an exam. However, to conduct inspections for hire, you must also obtain an annual license, renewable each year on December 31st.
Can termites damage a home beyond repair?
They sure can. Termites work quietly but destructively, and their tenacity can compromise the structural integrity of a home if left unchecked. Regular inspections and quick action at the first sign of infestation can prevent catastrophic damages.
Is it necessary to leave the home during treatment?
It depends on the method. For some treatments like fumigation, you and your pets will need to find temporary accommodation elsewhere. For baiting and some liquid treatments, you may not have to vacate.
How long does termite treatment last?
The longevity of termite treatments varies. Bait systems need regular maintenance, while certain liquid treatments can protect your home for up to five years. Always check with your provider for specifics on the durability of the treatment.
Are natural or DIY termite treatments effective?
Some natural or DIY methods might give you temporary relief, but they usually don’t work as well as professional treatments. Termite infestations are serious, and they often need a professional to assess and treat them.
Can termites return after treatment?
Yes, even after professional treatment, termites can return. Continuous monitoring and preventive measures are vital to keep your home termite-free.
When to Hire a Professional
Tackling termites isn’t quite the same as fixing a leaky faucet or patching up a hole in the drywall. Termites are one of those problems that typically need expertise beyond the average homeowner’s skill set, and they’re not something you want “practice” on, given the damage they can cause. Pest Gnome helps you connect with Indiana’s top termite professionals, offering comprehensive services to put the bite back on any termite problem.
Main Photo Credit: BankerFotos / Canva Pro / License
