Eastern Subterranean Termites
Latin Name: Reticulitermes flavipes
What are Eastern subterranean termites?
Eastern subterranean termites are wood-destroying insects and one of the most common termite species along the East Coast. They live in large underground colonies and feed on cellulose, a material found in wood, plants, paper, and other organic materials.
In nature, subterranean termites help break down decaying trees, stumps, roots, and plant material. Around homes and buildings, however, they can become highly destructive pests because they tunnel into structural wood and other cellulose-based materials.
What do Eastern subterranean termites look like?
Eastern subterranean termite colonies are made up of different groups, or castes.
Workers are creamy-white, wingless, and about 1/8 of an inch long. They make up most of the colony and are responsible for feeding on wood.
Soldiers are similar in size to workers but have larger, darker heads and strong mandibles used to defend the colony.
Swarmers, also called alates, are reproductive termites. They are dark brown or black, about 3/8 of an inch long, and have two pairs of equal-length wings. Swarmers are often seen in spring, especially from March through May.
Where will I find Eastern subterranean termites?
Eastern subterranean termites nest underground in moist soil. They travel through the soil or through protective mud tubes to reach wood and other food sources above ground.
Inside homes, they usually remain hidden while feeding on structural wood behind walls, below floors, above ceilings, around door and window frames, and in crawl spaces. Because they often work out of sight, termite activity can continue for months or even years before obvious damage is noticed. (Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, Inc)
Why do I have an Eastern subterranean termite problem?
Eastern subterranean termites are attracted to properties with moisture, wood-to-soil contact, and easy access to cellulose materials. They may enter through cracks in foundations or basement walls, gaps around plumbing or electrical lines, and wood that touches the soil.
Common risk factors include deck posts, porch supports, wood siding, fence posts, mulch close to the foundation, poor drainage, crawl space moisture, leaks, fallen trees, tree stumps, leaf piles, and other organic debris around the property.
Older homes, homes with crawl spaces, and properties with poor ventilation or high soil moisture may be especially vulnerable.
Are Eastern subterranean termites dangerous?
Eastern subterranean termites do not bite or sting people and are not known to spread disease. The danger they pose is to the structure of a home or building.
These termites can quietly tunnel through and feed on wood for long periods of time. Over time, the damage can become extensive and expensive to repair. Termite damage is also commonly excluded from homeowners insurance because it is considered preventable.
What are the signs of Eastern subterranean termites?
Common signs of subterranean termite activity include mud tubes along foundation walls, sill plates, crawl spaces, or basement areas. You may also notice hollow-sounding wood, soft or damaged wood, bubbling paint, distorted drywall, or discarded wings near windows, doors, vents, and light sources.
Finding winged termites indoors, especially near windowsills or lights, can be a sign of an active infestation inside the home.
How can I help prevent Eastern subterranean termites?
To help prevent Eastern subterranean termites, reduce moisture and limit termite access to your home. Clean gutters, fix drainage issues, repair leaks, and use dehumidifiers in damp areas. Crawl spaces should be properly ventilated.
Keep wood and soil separated whenever possible. Leave a crushed stone barrier between soil or mulch and the foundation, replace wood mulch with crushed rock or other non-organic options, and avoid letting decks, porch steps, siding, or wood trim make direct contact with the ground.
Remove fallen trees, tree stumps, leaf piles, and excess organic debris from the property. Seal foundation cracks and openings around utilities, plumbing, and electrical lines. Routine termite inspections and professional termite protection are also important for detecting early activity and helping protect the structure from hidden damage.
Similar Pests: Common Ants, Carpenter Ants
Photo credit: National Pest Management Association | Tom Myers
Eastern Subterranean Termite FAQs
How do I know if I have Termites?
Look for mud tubes along your foundation or walls, wood that sounds hollow when tapped, bubbling paint, or piles of discarded wings near windows. You may also hear soft clicking or rustling sounds inside your walls.
When do these termites usually swarm?
They typically swarm in the spring, especially after rain, when the weather starts warming up—usually from March through May in the DMV region.
How fast can termites damage a home?
A mature Eastern subterranean termite colony can cause significant damage over time—though it usually takes months or even years to become severe.
What’s the difference between termites and ants?
Termites and ants are often mistaken for one another, especially during swarming season when both release winged reproductives. However, they differ in several key ways that are easy to identify once you know what to look for.
The most noticeable difference is in body shape: termites have a straight, thick waist, while ants have a narrow, pinched waist. Their antennae are also different—termite antennae are straight and beaded, whereas ants have elbowed, bent antennae. Another major distinction is in their wings. Termites have two pairs of wings that are equal in length and longer than their body, while ants have wings of unequal length—the front wings are longer than the hind wings.
Behaviorally, termites feed on cellulose-based materials like wood, drywall, and paper, causing structural damage to homes. Ants, on the other hand, typically seek food like sweets, proteins, or grease and don't damage wood—except for carpenter ants, which tunnel through it but don't eat it.
How do termites get in a home?
Termites enter through cracks in foundations, gaps around plumbing or electrical lines, or any area where wood touches the soil. High moisture around the home makes it easier for them to thrive.
What attracts termites to my house?
- Moisture is the biggest factor—things like leaks, poor drainage, clogged gutters, or wood-to-soil contact can all attract termites.
- They're also drawn to mulch, rotting wood, and crawlspaces with poor ventilation.