Recently we have been inundated with calls about termites. Termites are at their peak of activity in the warm summer months although they do stay active year round. The amount of rain we have had this year really helped to increase the number of termite swarms. The only job that swarming termites have is to go out to mate and start new colonies. If you see swarming termites in your area, you need to contact a professional pest control company right away so that a full inspection can be done on your property. Many people confuse a flying ant and a flying termite. It is fairly easy to tell them apart if you know what to look for.
Notice the difference in wing size, body shape and color. Those things are easy to see. Example of termite mud tubes
The evidence that termites leave behind is very distinctive. They make tunnels that are called mud tubes. These are the tunnels that the termites will travel through.
4 FACTS ABOUT TERMITES
They live in colonies underground with as many as 2 million members.
A termite colony eats non-stop. 24/7/365.
The total weight of all the termites in the world is more than that of all the humans in the world.
Termites not only eat wood, but wallpaper, plastics and fabric made from plants.
4 WAYS TO HELP PREVENT TERMITES
Because termites thrive on moisture it is important to keep water accumulation away from your homes foundation.
Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the home.
Keep mulch at least 15 inches from the foundation.
Reduce humidity inside the home by properly ventilating crawl spaces, attics and basements. This will help prevent termite swarms.
Once you have a termite infestation, treatments can be very expensive but they are effective. There are two main types of treatments. One involves placing bait in stations around the perimeter of the home and garage. The other uses a liquid that is placed around the foundation of the home. If your property requires a service, both options will be explained to you and the individual prices will be quoted.
You know those really big, black ants that you see, the kind that look like they could have come from some bad B movie? Well, most likely those are Carpenter Ants. And they are probably the most common invader of homes in our area. While sometimes confused with termites, Carpenter Ants don’t actually eat the hard wood that your home is constructed of. Rather, they prefer moist, rotting wood and soft materials. They don’t consume it for food they merely dig through it, creating tunnels and nests. Below you will find some general information on Carpenter Ants and also some tips on treatment.
6 FACTS ABOUT CARPENTER ANTS
Carpenter Ants have 1 node, or ‘spike’ on their back just below the waist.
When outside Carpenter Ants will be found in dead and decaying trees, logs and stumps, because of this homes located in wooded areas are especially subject to infestations.
They are social insects that live in colonies. Once a colony becomes several years old it will reach a population of 2,000 – 3,000.
Once a colony reaches this size it will produce winged male and female ‘swarmers’ which will come out in the warm weather in the Spring and Summer to mate.
Large black ants found in the home are usually the first sign that you may have an infestation.
Numerous winged ants at the windows on the INSIDE of the home probably signals an indoor nest. As stated above winged ants are not produced until the colony reaches into the thousands – so this is something that would need to be addressed immediately.
Carpenter Ants do not eat wood, they just tunnel through it. This will leave a sawdust like material called frass.
Correct any moisture conditions that are conducive to the Carpenter Ants environment.
Treat with bait.
You may have a colony rebound if treatment is done incorrectly. That is why when dealing with a Carpenter Ant problem it is best to hire a professional.
Severe Carpenter Ant infestation
Above is an example of a severe Carpenter Ant infestation. You don’t want your problem to reach this level! Although Carpenter Ants don’t eat the wood like termites they can still cause a great amount of damage.
If you suspect a Carpenter Ant problem in your home, call Rapid Pest Solutions for a free inspection or click below to schedule.
Today I am going to talk about mosquitoes. Because we deal with them every summer for our entire lives, we kind of take for granted the fact that they are around. Unfortunately mosquitoes are the biggest danger to humans. More dangerous than sharks, lions and dogs, even more dangerous than other humans! They kill an estimated 725,000 people PER YEAR. Those numbers are somewhat mind boggling.
From Dusk Till Dawn / Vampire
It is important to protect yourself from mosquito bites as best as you can. The peak time for mosquitoes to be out in our area is ‘From Dusk till Dawn’. And much like the vampires in that movie, mosquitoes are out for blood. Only the female mosquitoes bite, the males feed on plant nectar. A female will hunt you out by detecting body heat and carbon dioxide. So sitting in one place may prove to be more beneficial than being up and moving around, as movement will make you warmer and cause you to breathe heavier resulting in more carbon dioxide emission.
A mosquitoes larvae requires moisture and they can breed in any form of stagnant water. This includes ponds, marshes, storm drains, etc. Adult mosquitoes like to hang out in vegetation like tall grass and shrubs. There are a few steps you can take to help decrease the mosquito population around your home.
Mosquito
5 WAYS TO HELP KEEP MOSQUITOES OUT OF YOUR YARD
Discard containers of standing water around your home. (pottery, flower pots, garbage can lids, etc)
Once a week empty wading pools and bird baths and refill with clean water
Keep your grass short and your shrubbery trimmed
Keep swimming pools clean and chlorinated
Keep gutters clean and unclogged
It’s important to protect yourself from mosquito bites. As I mentioned above, mosquitoes pose a real threat to the health of humans.
3 STEPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM MOSQUITO BITES
Use an insect repellent that contains DEET
Where loose fitting, light colored clothing with long sleeves and pants
Utilize screens on your doors and windows
Fight the Bite
Mosquitoes are vectors of many diseases. This means they pass them on to humans. Some of these diseases include West Nile Virus, Malaria and Yellow Fever. West Nile Virus has become a major concern in the US recently. While there have not been many cases of West Nile in Illinois and Indiana over the last few years, the risk is still there. Symptoms of West Nile Virus are very similar to common flu symptoms. In some extreme cases there may be high fever, body aches, worsening weakness and confusion. Report any dead birds such as blue jays and crows as this is one of the first signs that the West Nile Virus is in your area.
Following these steps will help to ensure that you are able to enjoy your summer. If you have any further questions about mosquitoes, their bites or how to prevent them, please contact Rapid Pest Solutions.
It’s that time of year – people will be spending a lot of time outside. BBQ’s, parties, the park and zoo, bike riding, walking, the beach – you name it. All of this time spent participating in outdoor activities puts us at risk of coming in contact with the dreaded STINGING INSECT! Da Da Dun!!!
For us in the NW Indiana and Chicago area, our most common stinging insects will include three main types, bees, wasps and hornets. There are subcategories to each of these but we are going to talk about them in a mostly general sense. Here we go!
BEES
There are several types of bees that we could encounter in our area. Bumble Bees, Carpenter Bees, Honey Bees and the list goes on. Male carpenter bees don’t have a stinger, therefore they are harmless, although they will act very aggressive. The other types of bees can and will sting, but are not overly aggressive and will usually only attack when threatened. For more information on Carpenter Bees check out this blog.
HORNETS
Hornet
There is one main type of hornet that we have here in this area and that is the European Hornet. Hornets are large, about an inch and a half long, and are yellow and brown in color. Hornets are pretty aggressive and their sting packs quite a punch. A hornet’s nest is usually high off the ground. It may be hanging from a tree or from the eaves of a house and they are approximately the size of a football.
WASPS
There are many types of wasps. Cicada Killers, Yellow Jackets and Paper Wasps are just a few that we come across in this area.
Cicada Killer With Cicada
Cicada Killers are large and somewhat intimidating looking. They are digger wasps and live a solitary life. The females use their stingers to subdue their prey rather than protect their nest. They will not attempt to sting unless handled very roughly or if you step on them. The males are harmless as they cannot sting. Although their size may seem scary, they are generally non-aggressive towards humans and will fly away when swatted at.
Paper Wasps will generally only attack if they or their nests are threatened. They are identifiable by the nests they build, which have open combs with cells for breeding. Paper Wasps will feed on nectar and other insects and are often considered to be beneficial by gardeners.
Yellow Jackets have lance like stingers with small barbs and are capable of stinging over and over. Yellow Jackets are social hunters and live in colonies. They feed mostly on sugars and carbs, such as fruit, nectar and tree sap but will also scavenge in human garbage.
Paper Wasp Nest
While you are outside this summer, be aware of your surroundings and stay away from the nests of stinging insects. If you do encounter a stinging insect, keep calm. As I said, many of these insects are not aggressive and will leave you alone. If you realize that you have some unwanted visitors nesting around your home or in your trees, give Rapid Pest Solutions a call. We can take care of these nests for you so that you may enjoy your time outside, all season long!
Previously I told the story of how I came to be in pest control. In talking with a co-worker I realized that he too stumbled into the business. And much the same as me, he loves it and wouldn’t want to do anything else. It’s strange that an industry that can elicit the most extreme responses from people can become a well-loved career. Pest Control is not for everyone. I never would have thought that it was right for me, but it is. It takes a rare breed of people to get down and dirty with the pests! Check out the story below as told to me by Wayne Ritenour.
Exterminator
“As it turns out, I didn’t choose pest control, it chose me. In my younger days I was hopping from job to job and was looking for a place to settle down. The old ‘friend of a friend’ network had me sitting in a pest control office on the south side of Chicago filling out an application. As luck would have it, I was hired on the spot and the rest is history!”
“Starting as a service tech was easy – except I was, and still am, leery of spiders and rats. This made inspecting and treating crawl spaces pretty interesting. On more than one occasion I had customers ask why they had heard a high pitched scream come from the crawl space. I would tell them I hit my head, although I’m not sure how many actually believed that. Finally after years of hitting my head in crawl spaces (wink, wink) I was promoted and I have never looked back. I was working with a large national company at that time and it had a lot of advantages including training, peer learning and promotional opportunities.”
LEFT – Spider Crickets / RIGHT – Rodent
“I have run several office locations over the last 17 years. Other than my position here at Rapid, I thoroughly enjoyed working in a small operation in Central Indiana. Going from a ‘city boy’ manager to running a very suburban branch was interesting. I always envisioned a bad Children of the Corn episode when my GPS would lead me down an ‘unnamed’ gravel road to get to a customer’s house. That aside, I have been lucky to work with some of the best people I have ever met and many that I still call friends after all these years. The story’s I tell and the way I talk about my work when I’m at home has made my son show some interest in following my career path. I can’t think of a way he could make me prouder.”
“In closing I can only say that I have truly found a home at Rapid Pest Solutions. Being involved from the start has given me the chance once again to grow in this industry. I am grateful to work with a great team and I couldn’t have asked for a better location. Come in and visit us, you’ll see what I mean.”
A Love Story
If you ever feel like you may be interested in a career in pest control, contact us. We can give you the details that will help you decide if extermination is your love story.
There are many types of positions you could pursue. Technician, Sales, Wildlife Removal, Office Staff, Inspector, etc.
You may have noticed some large dark colored bees hovering around outside your home or in your yard. Many people automatically think that these are Bumble Bees. They may in fact be Carpenter Bees and many people confuse the two. While Bumble Bees generally make their nest in the ground, a Carpenter Bee makes their nest by burrowing into wood. The holes that they make are perfectly round and about the same diameter as a finger. They will lay their eggs in the tunnels they create in the wood and they will also overwinter in those tunnels.
Bumble bees have some yellow on the body – Carpenter bees are black.
Both bees look very similar. They are both large but the Carpenter Bee has a bare, shiny body, while a bumble bee has a hairy body that has at least some yellow on it. Male Carpenter Bees may seem very aggressive. They will hover in front of people that are near their nest. But it’s really all for show. The males are harmless as they have no stingers. The females can sting but usually won’t unless they are handled or directly threatened. Both male and female Bumble Bees can and will sting. They are not normally aggressive but will defend their nest. Be aware that their stingers do not have barbs, so they can sting over and over without causing any harm to themselves.
CARPENTER BEE PREVENTION
Carpenter Bees prefer to attack softer woods that are untreated and weathered. These include redwood, cedar, cypress and pine. They are more likely to steer clear of wood that is painted or pressure treated. Some of the common areas to find Carpenter Bee damage is in eaves, trim, siding, decks, etc. You can help yourself by painting vulnerable wood. Stain is not as reliable a deterrent as paint, but it will offer some protection.
You may find wood shavings near the spot where a Carpenter Bee is tunneling or you may even hear burrowing noises. The female Carpenter Bees may reuse old holes to lay their eggs and do not always dig new ones. You can repair the holes with wood that is then covered in carpenter’s glue or wood putty. It is important that after you get rid of the bees, you repair the holes to discourage them from being used again.
Left Side – Carpenter bee larva inside the wood tunnels. Right Side – Carpenter bee in the hole it drilled.
CARPENTER BEE CONTROL
If you discover that you already have Carpenter Bees before you are able to paint the vulnerable wood, there are treatments that can be done. Some may choose a liquid spray to treat the wood, but this generally will only last 1 – 2 weeks and have to be continuously redone. If the bees have already burrowed in, you can treat the individual holes with a dust. Even though Carpenter Bees are not normally aggressive it is highly recommended that you perform the treatment at night when the bees are less active. Be sure to wear protective clothing if you will be doing treatment during the day. If you’re feeling brave you may want to attempt this yourself, in which case Rapid has a retail section where you can purchase the proper products. If not, Rapid Pest Solutions can perform the service for you. Contact us for a quote.
Insects can fit through a very small opening in your screen.
While it is not possible to keep every single insect and bug out of your home, it is possible to make it more difficult for them to get in. I have put together five easy things you can do at your home to cut down on the insects inside.
Secure your perimeter. While this may sound like a military maneuver, you really are trying to keep the enemy (bugs) out. Make sure you use screens and replace any that are torn or damaged. Replace loose weather stripping. If there are small gaps or cracks around the home, use caulk to fix them, for larger openings, use steel wool. The idea is to close off any entry points that you can.
It’s all about cleanliness. Keep food in sealed containers and wipe up crumbs. Sweep/mop the floors. If there are any spills, be sure to clean them up right away. You will also want to keep your pet’s food in a sealed container and try not to leave their full dishes out for long periods of time.
Keep it dry. Most bugs and insects like moisture and any source can attract them. Even condensation on pipes can drip and create a place that the pests will like. Be sure to fix leaky pipes right away. Water in your basement or crawl space means trouble. Make sure you have proper drainage and use a dehumidifier if needed.
Clear the clutter. Making sure that your yard and the area around your home are neat and clear is important to keeping pests away. Keep mulch away from the foundation of your home. Clean up leaf litter and other organic debris as these are harborage sites for insects. Mow the grass often and keep it short near the house. You should also make sure that trees and shrubs are cut back so that they are not touching the side or roof of the home.
The birds and the bats. You are probably used to hearing the phrase, the birds and the bees, but not in this case. Encourage birds and bats to nest in your yard. Consider the birds the day shift and the bats the night shift. They are natural predators to the bugs and insects you are trying to keep away. Having them nest in your yard will allow them to keep the insect population down as they use them for a food source.
Indiana Bats are small and feed on many different kinds of insects and bugs.
Here you can find some additional tips for everyday pest control in your home.
Do you have any suggestions to keep pests out of the house? Share them with us in the comments section of this blog! If you discover that you have a pest problem despite taking preventative steps, you may find that you need a professional exterminator. Rapid Pest Solutions can help. We offer prompt service and competitive prices – contact us with questions or to schedule your appointment today.
Memorial Day is a time to celebrate and remember our veterans that gave their lives fighting for our country. Rapid Pest Solutions honors all who have served, past and present.
Our heroes
There are many ways people choose to celebrate the day. There are parades and memorial services to honor our fallen heroes. There are also cookouts and BBQ’s with family and friends to celebrate the freedom that we have. A freedomthat is due to our soldiers.
While participating in these outdoor activities you may find yourself having a run in with ants, mosquitoes, bees and other stinging insects. Let’s list some things you can do to limit the number of issues you have with these pests.
Set up a fan facing the area where you will be sitting. The breeze from the fan is enough to make it difficult for flying insects to get near you.
Stay away from heavy perfumes and other scents. These sweet smells will attract the stinging insects.
Keep your drinks covered. That will keep bugs from being attracted to what is inside. At the very least, drink from a clear cup or bottle. That way you can see what is inside and not take an accidental swig from a beverage with a bee or wasp in it!
Garbage cans should be kept at a distance from the area where you are sitting.
Light some candles. Smoke repels mosquitoes and flies and the candles will look pretty at the same time.
Have a separate food table for the bugs. Yes, you read that right. Give the bugs there own food table. Put watermelon rinds, over ripe fruit or colored sugar water on a table away from your serving and eating areas.
TRAVEL CONCERNS WITH BED BUGS
Another pest concern that you may not associate with the holiday weekend is bed bugs. Why, you ask? Many people travel for the holiday, staying with friends and family or in hotels. Bed bugs are hitchhikers. You could pick them up on your travels and bring them back to your own home. Be vigilant while traveling, inspect your sleeping area.
Rapid Pest Solutions is here for any pest problems you may have, and any uninvited guests that made the journey home with you too. Contact us for questions, information, pricing and more.
You have determined that yes, you do in fact have bed bugs. Now what? You have a couple of choices. There are two ways to get rid of bed bugs in your home. One is Thermal Remediation, also known as a heat treatment. The other is a Traditional Treatment, which uses chemicals to kill the bed bugs. Let’s break it down.
Thermal Remediation Equipment
Thermal Remediation – This involves heating up the entire house to a minimum of 130 degrees. Within approximately 45 minutes the live bed bugs will be killed. However, the minimum temperature must be maintained for at least 3 hours to ensure that all the eggs are killed too. A heat treatment does require some prep work. Most items can be left in the home but you will want to remove anything that could melt at that temperature and of course no pets or humans can be inside during the treatment.
Bed Bug Temperature Guide
Traditional Treatment – This treatment uses a combination of spray and dust to eradicate the bed bug population. The insecticide is used on the bedding, furniture, baseboards, closets, windows, etc. The preparation for this type of treatment is extensive. It requires that all bedding be removed as well as removing all clothing from the infested room. These items need to be placed into heavy duty plastic bags until they can be laundered and placed in a dryer on high heat for a minimum of half an hour.
A pest exterminator can do either of these treatments for you, and will sometimes offer a combination of the two. Keep in mind that a heat treatment is fairly expensive and can start around $1000. Chemical treatments will usually start around $500 – $600. Ask what type of warranty, if any, you can expect with each treatment.
You can buy mattress, box-spring and pillow encasement’s. These fit over your bedding and do not allow bed bugs in or out. A bed bug can lay dormant for up to 18 months without feeding. Using the encasement’s will keep them locked in and unable to bite. Rapid Pest Solutions has these encasement’s in stock for all sizes of bedding.
Some people may want to try and get rid of the problem themselves, especially due to the high cost. Rapid Pest Solutions offers a retail section in store that sells bed bug kits with the items you need to do a bed bug treatment yourself. The key to being successful is being thorough. You have a greater chance of success, both on your own and with a pest control expert, if you’re sure to follow the prep list given to you and if you’re doing it on your own, follow the instructions on the pesticides to the letter.
Do I Have Bed Bugs? How to Spot, Prevent, and Deal With a Bed Bug Infestation
We’ve all heard the bedtime rhyme: “Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite.” As children, we probably giggled or rolled our eyes. But as adults, especially today, those words carry a little more weight—and for good reason. Bed bug infestations have surged across the U.S. since the late 1990s, and they’re more than just a minor nuisance. If you’re waking up with itchy bites or suspicious marks on your bedding, you may find yourself asking, Do I have bed bugs?
At Rapid Pest Solutions, we help homeowners and businesses identify and eliminate bed bug problems quickly and effectively. Since Chicago is consistently ranked as one of the top cities for bed bug activity, knowing how to spot early signs of an infestation is more important than ever.
Let’s break down what you need to know—from identifying bed bugs to preventing them from invading your space.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Recognizing a bed bug is the first step in stopping an infestation. Here’s how to identify these tiny pests:
✅ Color
Unfed adults: Mahogany or rusty brown.
Fed adults: Reddish-brown, darker due to a recent blood meal.
Nymphs (juveniles): Almost colorless when they hatch, turning light brown as they mature.
✅ Shape
Unfed bed bugs are flat and oval-shaped, often compared to the shape of an apple seed or shield.
Once they’ve fed, they appear swollen and more elongated.
✅ Size
Adult bed bugs grow to about 1/4 inch in length.
Nymphs range from 1.3 mm to 5 mm as they go through various growth stages.
✅ Feeding Behavior
Bed bugs are nocturnal, most active at night while you sleep.
They’re attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale and will typically bite exposed skin.
Though they prefer humans, bed bugs will feed on any warm-blooded host if necessary.
Bed Bug Facts You Should Know
Bed bugs are not seasonal, but infestations tend to spike in the summer months due to increased travel.
They don’t discriminate—luxury hotel or budget motel, clean home or cluttered apartment, anyone can bring bed bugs home.
Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers and can travel via luggage, backpacks, clothing, or even furniture.
Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs are not a sign of poor hygiene. They seek warmth and blood, not filth.
How to Prevent Bed Bugs When Traveling
Travel is one of the easiest ways to accidentally bring bed bugs into your home. Use these prevention tips to protect yourself:
Keep your luggage off the floor. Use a luggage rack in hotel rooms instead of placing bags on carpets or beds.
Avoid hotel dressers. Don’t store clothing in drawers—keep your items in your suitcase.
Inspect the bed. Pull back sheets and look along mattress seams and box springs for signs of bed bugs: small reddish stains, shed skins, or actual bugs.
Unpack smart. When you return home, immediately place your clothes (even unworn items) in the dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Heat kills bed bugs at all life stages.
Signs You Might Have Bed Bugs
So, how do you know if your home has been invaded? Look for these common signs:
Bites: Red, itchy bites that often appear in a line or cluster.
Blood stains: Small, rusty spots on sheets or mattresses.
Shed skins: As bed bugs grow, they shed their outer shells.
Fecal spots: Tiny dark spots on mattresses, walls, or furniture.
Musty odor: A strong, unpleasant smell in rooms with heavy infestations.
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, don’t panic—but don’t wait either.
What to Do if You Suspect a Bed Bug Infestation
Because of their small size and resistance to many DIY treatments, bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eliminate without professional help. If you suspect bed bugs are in your home or business:
Do not try to treat the problem with over-the-counter sprays. These often just spread the bugs further.
Do not move items from one room to another. This can cause the infestation to spread.
Contact a certified pest control expert like Rapid Pest Solutions. We offer bed bug inspections, heat treatments, chemical treatments, and ongoing monitoring to ensure your home is bed bug-free.
Why Choose Rapid Pest Solutions?
At Rapid Pest Solutions, we know how stressful a bed bug problem can be. That’s why we provide fast, discreet, and effective bed bug treatments throughout the greater Chicago area. Whether you’re dealing with a small issue or a full-blown infestation, we’ll help restore your peace of mind with customized treatment plans and guaranteed results.
Get Peace of Mind – Contact Rapid Pest Solutions Today
Bed bugs don’t go away on their own—and the longer you wait, the worse the problem can become. If you’re concerned you might have bed bugs, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our expert technicians can inspect your space, identify the issue, and walk you through your best treatment options.
Notice the difference in wing size, body shape and color. Those things are easy to see. 
