Termite Control

Termite Removal in Spencer, IN

Over 25 Years of Experience | Licensed and Insured

Women's Business Enterprise

Reliable Termite Control Services

We would like to provide you with a bit of history. The ability of termites to cause damage to wooden structures has been known for thousands of years. The Romans referred to these insects as "Termes" which aptly means "woodworms."

Termites are among the most ancient of insects and their fossilized remains have been found in formations more than 100 million years old. The damage to structures from termite infestation in the United States is huge.

A common comparison given by experts is that termites cause more damage each year than fires and floods combined. Clearly if it were possible to "treat" a home to totally prevent damage from fire and floods we would all have it done...pronto!

No matter how your home is constructed, where it's located, or how old it is, it could be attacked by subterranean termites. They are among the most destructive organisms on the planet.

They are a threat across 70 percent of the world and in every part of the United States except Alaska and they cause $2-3 billion worth of damage each year. In fact, they are the most serious threat your home may face.

In most cases your homeowner's insurance will not cover the damages that termites inflict. Other signs of infestation are earthen (mud) tubes extending over foundation walls, support piers, sill plates, floor joists, etc.

The mud tubes are typically about the diameter of a pencil, but sometimes can be thicker. Termites construct these tubes for shelter as they travel between their underground colonies and the structure.

To help determine if an infestation is active, the tubes may be broken open and checked for the presence of small creamy-white worker termites. If a tube happens to be vacant, it does not necessarily mean that the infestation is inactive.

Termites often abandon sections of tube while foraging elsewhere in the structure. Termite-damaged wood is usually hollowed out along the grain, with bits of dried mud or soil lining the feeding galleries.

Wood damaged by moisture or other types of insects (e.g., carpenter ants) will not have this appearance. Occasionally termites bore tiny holes through plaster or drywall, accompanied by bits of soil around the margin.

Rippled or sunken traces behind wall coverings can also be indicative of termites tunneling underneath. Oftentimes there will be no visible indication that the home is infested. Termites are cryptic creatures and infestations can go undetected for years.

They could remain hidden behind walls, floor coverings, insulation, and other obstructions. Termite feeding and damage can even progress undetected in wood that is exposed because the outer surface is usually left intact.

Confirmation of infestation often requires the keen eye of an experienced termite inspector. However, even the most experienced inspector can overlook infestation or damage which is hidden. Call Kelley's Termite & Pest Control today for a FREE estimate. We provide estimates within 24 hours!

We Take Excellent Steps to Get Rid of Termites

Which treatment methods and products are most effective?

Termidor - Advanced Undetectable Technology

"America's #1 Termite Defense Product"

Termidor belongs to a new class of non-repellent termiticides. It is applied as a solution, to the subsoil area around your home, beneath concrete slabs such as patios. Because worker termites cannot smell it, see it, or feel it, they forage freely in the treated areas and unknowingly pick up a lethal dose.

As the workers return to the colony frequently, they expose others within the colony, resulting in complete control of a very costly pest. This is a sharp contrast to older liquid termiticides which rely on repellent barriers that termites can find breaks in or avoid completely.

In rigorous USDA trials and similar trials in Japan and Europe, Termidor has repeatedly proven itself 100% effective in eradicating termites. A little bid of Termidor goes a long way in treating your home.

The active ingredient in Termidor (fipronil) comprises just 0.06% of the water based solution used to treat a home. This concentration is much lower than that of older termiticides and less than most household insecticides.

Keep in mind too, that since 1995 fipronil based products have been used worldwide for flea and tick control on household pets. Termidor has virtually no odor. It is safe, reliable and long lasting.

What more can you ask for?
Will the chemicals harm my family or pets?

Termiticides are tested extensively for adverse effects on health. Before a product can be used, numerous studies are conducted by the manufacturer and independently evaluated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Based on the current body of knowledge, registered termiticides pose no significant hazard to humans, pets, or the environment when applied according to label directions.
Why worry about termites?

Termites cause billions of dollars in damage each year. They primarily feed on wood, but also damage paper, books, insulation, and even swimming pool liners and filtration systems.

Termites can injure living trees and shrubs, but more often are a secondary invader of woody plants already in decline. While buildings may become infested at any time, termites are of particular importance when buying or selling a home since a termite inspection/infestation report is normally a condition of sale.

Besides the monetary impact, thousands of winged termites emerging inside one's home are an emotionally trying experience - not to mention the thought of termites silently feasting on one's largest investment.
Why are infestations often discovered during March - May?

Spring typically is when large numbers of winged termites, known as "swarmers," emerge inside homes. In nature, termites swarm to disperse and start new colonies.

Triggered by warmer temperatures and rainfall, the winged termites emerge from the colony and fly into the air. The swarmers then drop to the ground, shed their wings, pair off with a male, and attempt to begin new colonies in the soil.

Few swarmers emerging outdoors survive to start new colonies. Swarmers emerging indoors are incapable of eating wood, seldom survive, and are best removed with vacuum. They do, however, indicate that an infestation is present.
How will I know if my home is infested?

Discovering winged termites indoors almost always indicates an infestation warranting treatment. People may often confuse winged termites with ants, which often swarm at the same time of the year.

Termites can be differentiated by their straight antennae, uniform waist and wings of equal size. (Ants have elbowed antennae, constricted waists and forewings that are longer than the hind wings.)

The swarmers are attracted to light and are often seen around windows and doors. Termite swarmers emerging from the stumps, woodpiles, and other locations out in the yard does not necessarily mean that the house is infested.

On the other hand, if winged termites are seen emerging from the base of a foundation wall or adjoining porches and patios, there's a good chance the house is infested.