The 3 Most Common Termites in Illinois and Indiana

The 3 Most Common Termites in Illinois and Indiana

Summary: Termites cause billions of dollars in damage every year, so awareness of these pests is essential. This blog gives a descriptive overview of the 3 most common termite species in Illinois and Indiana. They are: Eastern subterranean, drywood, and formosan. Pointe Pest Control provides targeted termite treatments for Illinois and Indiana homeowners.

Happy Termite Awareness Week! If any pest needs a week dedicated to spreading awareness about their existence, it’s the termite. This pest causes billions of dollars worth of damage every year — all because they have an insatiable appetite for wood!

When it comes to termites, awareness is key. By this, we mean that knowing the general habits of local termite species helps a lot with prevention. There are 3 main types in Illinois and Indiana, so let’s take a look at their lifestyles before we dish on our top termite prevention tips!

Eastern Subterranean Termites

Eastern subterranean termites — true to their name — try to stay underground at all times. They’re ruthless in the destruction caused by the millions of bugs in their colonies, which is concerning since they’re also the most common termites in the country. These pests are pale, cream-colored, and about 1/4 of an inch long.

These pests need to be in contact with the soil at all times because they get their moisture from the damp dirt. This is why they’re most active after rainstorms; the soaked soil is more enjoyable as their habitat. When they do invade wood, it’s almost always a type of softwood. This is likely because the wood is easier to chew through, like the soil.

When eastern subterranean termites invade a house, it’s usually through the foundation or a severely moisture-damaged area of the house. An early sign of an invasion is multiple mud tubes on the house’s exterior. Workers create these dirt-packed trails in order to insulate their tunnels.

Eastern subterranean termites are most active in spring and summer, so now is the perfect time to prepare for their arrival by implementing prevention tactics (more on this later).

Drywood Termites

This species is much more rare in our states, but they’re still worth mentioning. Drywood termites prefer dry wood (big surprise) above the ground. They’re usually a pale brown color and up to 3/8 of an inch long. They enjoy warmth and humidity, so these insects swarm in the late summer to early fall.

Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites don’t live in the soil. They get all the moisture they need from the wood they invade. Speaking of which, these pests are interesting in that their whole colony lives in the wood. This is possible since their colonies only have about 2,500 insects each. But make no mistake: these pests still cause plenty of damage!

There two main ways that drywood termites invade a structure. The most common one is slipping through cracks and gaps in a house, then making their way further into the wooden framework. They often stay in the attic or an elevated portion of the frame. The other way is through hitchhiking in wooden objects, like crates and furniture, to their new destination.

Drywood termites are most active on warmer days, so their time to shine is coming up. Our advice? Inspect every piece of wooden furniture and decor before you bring it inside. It’s better to be safe than sorry — especially when it comes to pests!

Formosan Termites

Formosan termites are slightly more common than drywood termites, but not by much (in our area). These pests are yellow-brown in color and usually grow to half an inch long. They typically swarm in late spring and early summer since they love the warmth. The queens lay about 1,000 eggs a day, so infestations get out of hand before you can say “formosan.”

These pests are similar to subterranean termites because formosan termites also stay in the soil and invade structures from the ground up. They typically inhabit the walls and floors of a house, and can go undetected for quite a while. Since they’re aggressive in their wood-chomping, formosan termites are one of the more worrisome hidden pests we see.

Interestingly enough, this species isn’t native to America. They’re originally from Asia and invaded the United States by hitchhiking in various industrial items, like lumbar and railroad crossties. They create unique smooth galleries in the material they invade, which act as a signal to professionals when this species is the culprit of an infestation.

You might see this termite species swarming in the evenings after a summer rainstorm. As long as they have damp soil, they’re content to live wherever they can get access to cellulose-heavy wood.

Termite Prevention 101

Now, for the moment we’ve all been waiting for: our termite prevention tips! Since Illinois and Indiana are both active termite zones, it’s important for homeowners to know the best ways to prevent these pests from destroying their homes. Termite issues are always best-treated by a professional because these pests avoid anything applied to the surface of their nests.

Our recommended methods for termite prevention are:

• Seal Entry Points — Tiny pests use tiny gaps to invade a home, and termite swarmers are no exception. Inspect the exterior of your house often for any cracks or holes. Seal small openings with waterproof caulk, and fill larger gaps with steel wool before lining with caulk.

• Eliminate Extra Moisture — Termites love moisture, so an easy way to prevent them is to eliminate any extra sources of moisture! Inspect your home often for leaks or moisture damage, and repair any found damage immediately.

• Use Proper Drainage Practices — The problem of excessive moisture also applies to the yard. Make sure your yard drains properly, especially if your area gets a lot of rain. If your house’s gutters and downspouts are clogged, remove the blockage and ensure water will flow.

• Store Firewood Correctly — These pests want wood, but that doesn’t mean they’ll stay in their original habitat forever! If these pests invade your firewood stash, you do not want them turning to your home next. Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and check it often.

• Notice The Signs — As we said at the beginning, awareness is key. Keep an eye out for termite activity in every season, as they can be active year-round. The most common signs are mud tubes, sawdust, discarded wings, scratching sounds, and any live or dead termites.

• Schedule a Professional Inspection — If you even suspect a possibility that you have a termite problem, it’s best to call in the pros. The technician will know the habits and lifecycles of local species, so they’ll be able to locate active areas on your property.

Pointe Tackles Termites with Efficiency & Care

Termites are not a pest you want to leave alone. The longer they stay in one place, the more damage they cause. That’s why the licensed technicians of Pointe Pest Control solve termite issues with the utmost efficiency and care. Time is of the essence with these pests!

We don’t waste time with surface-level termite treatments. Instead, our certified team members utilize the Sentricon® system with Always Active™ technology. This unobtrusive system eliminates and prevents termites all year long. The system is routinely monitored by our team to ensure it is effectively solving the problem. We look forward to ending your termite concerns this year. Kick those pests to the curb and contact us for a free quote today!

Citations

Formosan termites. (n.d.). Pest World. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/termites/formosan-termites/

Termites in Illinois — What you need to know. (2016, March 22). Pointe Pest Control. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://www.pointepestcontrol.net/termites-illinois-know/

Termites in southwestern Illinois: Signs, damage, and prevention tips. (n.d.). Garella Pest Services. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://www.gpest.com/blog/termites-in-southwestern-illinois