Termites are often a pest homeowners want to avoid. One colony alone can have more than 1 million hungry workers consuming over 100 pounds of wood per year, and the average cost for termite treatment or damage repairs is well above $8,000.

Although termites are found throughout the United States, the exact type varies among different regions. Eastern subterranean termites are usually found in the Danville / Champaign area. It’s possible to find other types of termites, but they are not native to Illinois and usually arrive in lumber, mulch or furniture. Additionally, non-native termites are not able to survive the cold winters, so they can’t establish permanent colonies in and around your home.

Subterranean termites can’t take prolonged exposure to sunlight or air, so they live deep in the ground and build mud tubes to protect them while they search for food and bring it back to the colony. These pests feed on wood, and they can cause severe structural damage to your home if they aren’t caught early. If left untreated, subterranean termites will completely eat through the soft interior of the wood, leaving only the hard grain behind. Often, their mud tunnels are the only outward signs of their presence.