Help! Carpenter Ants or Termites

[snowangel03]

I have a friend that lives in West Chicago, IL that needs help with this. She says that she was told that it can't be termites because they are not around here; that it has to be carpenter ants. Does anyone know of a good pest control in the Western Suburbs that she can use?

[vw56german]

Have her read your posting and then look to the Google ads on the right side. They are very helpful.

[dab102999]

Ortho home defence from Home Depot or Lowes. Had the same problem with carpenter ants, called ortho to come out and spray the house. Told by the pest control person to go by that stuff myself. Was hesitant to do it (a lot cheaper then having them do it) but worked great. Spray once in the spring and once in the fall. One gallon does all around my house and building. NO MORE ANTS period!! Like $18 a gallon.

[propjockey]

snowangel03,

If they are non-union Carpenter Ants, try using Diazinon (if you can still find it, nasty stuff). If they are union Carpenter Ants, you'll have to file a grievance with the local hall to have them removed.

Hopefully they aren't the latter because us business owners know how hard it is to remove a union employee! http://www.johndee.com/discuss/clipart/happy.gif


-J-

[anonomoose]

While they look a bit alike, there are some differences that should let her distinguish which one it is.

If it is Carpenter ants, she can use home depot stuff to get rid of them ( is she around maple trees...they draw this inspect).

If it is termites (and they ARE found even further north than where she lives) then she has bigger fish to fry. She should enlist the help of a pro because they can cause a lot of damage in a relatively short period of time.

With the latter, she could call the cooperative extension service to see who is registered and they can give a recommendation of a reputable exterminator. Just because they carry a big name advertisement does not mean they are either good or won't take her to the cleaners to get rid of them.

I don't think you can buy Diazinon anymore.

[famousguy]

Termites come much farther north than that, so she better have it checked out.

[famousguy]

I had termites about 12 years ago, and had Terminex get rid of them. I think it was around $1200 if I recall.

[kevisip]

If they are union ants, becarefull, and watch your knee-caps!

[jim]

i can see where this might go!!lol, could be a fun topic!

[dooski]

If they are union just plug the holes when they are on break. Or let a non union ant show up on the job. They will all walk off.

[snowangel03]

You guys are hilarious!! I needed a laugh tonight too - thanks!!

And thanks for all the info. $1200?? WOW!! That is crazy!

I know she likes to try and give the local businesses her business over the big guys whenever possible - but then again, if they're union she may want to go with the big guys, LOL!!

[famousguy]

$1200 was a lot for it, but had no choice. Either pay it or lose the house one bite at a time.

[yamadooed]

Spectracide Triazicide will work on the crapenter ants... I'll agree wit propjockey on the Diazonon but unfortunate its illegel to purchase in illnoise anymore...

[rev500]

If you want to get rid of carpenter ants use Terro. This stuff is great. We have a hand built hunting cabin that is 100% wood. When we see the ants we put this stuff out and it get rid of them. The URL is: http://www.terro.com/

[mikeh906]

There are 3 types of termites, Drywood, subteranian, and Formosan. Most likely she has drywood. Look for fecal matter and small kickout holes. The fecal matter looks like fine coffee grounds and will not crush under your fingernail. Termites do not sleep, they have a coloney with a queen who send out the workers for food [your house] and multipy rapidly. Treatment run about .50 a sqare foot for non tenting treatment. We use premise 75 a systemic insecticide with about a 20 year residual. We spray all exposed wood inside and outside, and inject the kickout holes to treat. They only need to walk thru it and static electricity sticks it to there bodys so when they return to the coloney they share it with them. It take 4-6 weeks to get this effect. Ants are easy and quick to kill,use spray. Identify what kind of ants to help locate them, fire ants, carpenter, whitefooted, suger, acrobat ect. all live in different spots but treated with the same chemicals and baits but in different spots.The most effective way is to buy Speckoz on ebay, mix 1 oz to 1 gallon and spray under sinks fridge ect. We also use baits outside and use boric acid dust in all the kitchen and bathrooms outletss. Look inside and outside for the coloney and spray that and all windows, doors and 3 ft up and away from the foundation. Prices start at 75-150 for an initail and 50 for a 1 week follow up. We promise results, any needed follow ups are free. Have her make some calls and get estimates, the big corps are the least effective as the employee turnover is high. The industry is usually commision based so prices vary. Look for the owner/operator with exp. as he will know excactly how, what, and where to treat.