Eastern Subterranean Termites in Georgia
Health RiskNo Risk
Damage RiskMedium
NuisanceMedium
How to Identify Eastern Subterranean Termites
Eastern subterranean termites are pale, soft-bodied insects equipped with powerful jaws that help them consume cellulose-based materials, often damaging wood as they travel between soil and structures.
- Actual Size 3 to 11 mm long, depending on caste
- Characteristics Soft-bodied insects ranging from cream to brown in color, with straight antennae and strong mandibles.
- Legs 6
- Antennae Yes
- Wings Yes, on reproductive swarmers
What Do Eastern Subterranean Termites Do?
Eastern subterranean termites feed on wood and other cellulose sources while forming underground colonies that connect to structures, allowing damage to slowly spread through a property.
- Live in large underground colonies and typically build mud tubes to travel between soil and food sources like wood.
- A colony can contain hundreds of thousands to even millions of termites, depending on its age and environmental conditions.
- Among the most destructive termite species in the United States due to their large colony sizes and feeding habits.
- They often remain hidden inside walls or beneath structures, meaning infestations can go unnoticed until significant damage has already occurred.
Where Do You Find Eastern Subterranean Termites?
Eastern subterranean termites typically live underground and in damp environments close to buildings, where they travel through mud tubes to reach structural wood. Their colonies can stay hidden for long periods until signs like damage or swarmers appear. Places you’re likely to find eastern subterranean termites include:
- Soil around home foundations
- Areas with plumbing leaks or excess moisture
- Crawl spaces, especially those with high moisture or poor ventilation.
- Basement walls and floors, where termites can enter through cracks or gaps.
- Wooden structural supports, such as beams, joists, and sill plates, are in contact with soil.
- Mulch beds and landscaping near the foundation
- Wooden decks, porches, and steps that are in direct contact with the ground.
- Mud tubes on foundation walls, exterior surfaces, or other protected pathways leading from soil to wood.
What Should I Do If I Have Eastern Subterranean Termites in Georgia?
Eastern subterranean termites typically infiltrate homes from the ground up, using soil contact and moisture pathways to reach wood inside walls, floors, and structural framing. If you have eastern subterranean termites, the following steps are recommended:
- Eliminate sources of excess moisture around the home, including plumbing leaks, clogged drains, or poor drainage near the foundation.
- Avoid disturbing mud tubes or damaged areas until treatment is completed, since this can cause termites to relocate and spread.
- Ensure soil is not in direct contact with wood by maintaining proper clearance around siding, framing, and structural supports.
- Schedule a professional treatment plan, which may include liquid soil treatments or baiting systems designed for eastern subterranean termites.
- Remove or replace moisture-damaged or heavily infested wood when advised by a pest control specialist.
- Contact a licensed pest control professional to inspect the property and confirm the extent of the eastern subterranean termite activity.
Top 5 FAQs About Eastern Subterranean Termites in Georgia
Have questions about eastern subterranean termites? Check out the FAQ section below, and reach out by phone or email if you need more information.
How do eastern subterranean termites enter homes?
They enter through cracks in foundations, gaps around plumbing, or areas where wood comes into contact with soil, often using mud tubes for protection.
What are the signs of an eastern subterranean termite infestation?
Common signs include mud tubes on walls or foundations, discarded wings, hollow-sounding wood, and bubbling or damaged paint.
What attracts eastern subterranean termites to a home?
Moisture, wood in contact with soil, and untreated or decaying wood are major factors that attract them.
Can eastern subterranean termites spread from house to house?
Yes, reproductive swarmers can fly and establish new colonies nearby, which can lead to infestations in multiple structures in the same area.
How are eastern subterranean termites treated?
Treatment often includes professional pest control services using soil treatments, baiting systems, and moisture control strategies to eliminate colonies and help prevent reinfestation.
