There are four types of termites in the United States. Due to the harsh winter conditions, only one can survive in NW Indiana. The subterranean termites live within the soil and feed on cellulose based materials. Essential to the eco system, they become a problem when they start to forage into man made structures. They are social insects divided into three castes which serve a different purpose in the survival of the colony. The worker termite accounts for the majority of the population. They are small, blind, creamy white in appearance and have…continue reading →

In the spring of the year many homeowners begin to notice large furry bees with black and yellow coloring hovering and “bouncing” off of their wooden siding, overhangs and fences. These are female Carpenter Bees that have already mated and are in search of a suitable wooden surface to bore into for the purpose of laying their eggs.Their ability to penetrate numerous finished and unfinished wooden surfaces accounts for their common name. Old (dark) and new (light) Carpenter Bee holes can be seen on wooden siding, wooden overhangs and facia boards, window sills,…continue reading →

Spring is tornado season in the Midwest. Small children are being marched through school hallways and drilled on how to take cover, storm chasers are doing the final check on their vehicles and equipment and the Weather Channel is primed for a major ratings boost. We have all seen the horrifying aftermath of these devastating storms and we collectively wonder how anyone ever survives the carnage. It is not at all uncommon for the nightly news to lead with footage of leaping flames engulfing a warehouse, apartment building or a home. The dramatic…continue reading →

It is quite common for lending institutions such as banks and mortgage companies to protect their investment and request Wood Destroying Insect (WDI) inspections for homes that are being purchased or refinanced. Licensed pest control professionals are regularly contacted to render a thorough examination of the structural timbers in these homes for evidence of infestation and damage due to termites, carpenter ants and powder post beetles. Although these inspections include all wood destroying insects they are routinely referred to by lending agents, sellers, buyers, realtors and pest control professionals as “Termite Inspections.” The…continue reading →

What do Baseball, The Masters, The NFL Draft, Kentucky Derby and the NBA/NHL playoffs have in common with termites and ants? They are all unstoppable forces of spring! They can’t be avoided and you can set your watch by their arrival each year when the dreary gloom of winter gives way to the lush greens and budding colors of April and May. Just as many wives are perturbed with their sports addicted husbands who stay glued to the TV while the grass remains uncut, other homeowners are similarly disgusted to find that termites…continue reading →