Wood-destroying pest
Termites Control in Elgin, Illinois
Quiet damage — inspection matters.
What they look like
Eastern subterranean termite workers are small, pale and soft-bodied. Swarmers are dark with two pairs of equal-length wings and straight antennae — unlike ants, which have bent antennae and a pinched waist.
Signs of an infestation
- Pencil-width mud tubes on foundation walls, piers or joists
- Swarmers or discarded wings near windows and doors in spring
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped, or blistered paint
- Sagging or soft floors near exterior walls
Where they're found
Foundation walls, crawl spaces, sill plates, wood in contact with soil, and areas with chronic moisture.
Why they show up
Subterranean termites live in soil and move into structures through wood-to-soil contact, foundation cracks and expansion joints, following moisture.
Seasonality in Illinois
Swarms typically occur on warm days in spring; feeding continues year-round below grade.
Prevention tips
- Eliminate wood-to-soil contact around the structure
- Keep mulch pulled back from siding and foundation
- Direct downspouts away and fix chronic damp areas
- Store firewood away from the house and off the ground
When to call a professional
Termite damage is slow and hidden, and swarmers indoors mean an active colony. This is not a DIY situation — schedule a professional inspection.
How ProGuard treats termites
ProGuard inspects for conducive conditions and active evidence, and recommends the appropriate course of action for the structure.