The most common signs of termites in Middle Tennessee are swarms of winged insects indoors in spring, piles of shed wings on windowsills, pencil-width mud tubes on foundations or crawlspace piers, and wood that sounds hollow or crumbles. Eastern subterranean termites are the usual culprit. If you see any of these, save a sample and have a licensed company inspect.
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Termites are one of the few household pests that can cause serious structural damage without you ever seeing them. In Middle Tennessee, the species homeowners deal with most is the eastern subterranean termite, which lives in the soil and travels into homes through the foundation. Because they work out of sight, knowing the warning signs is the best way to catch a problem early.
Why termites are common here
Subterranean termites need moisture and wood, and much of the Nashville area offers both. Many homes, especially older ones, are built over crawlspaces that can stay damp for much of the year. Mulched beds, firewood stacked against siding, wooden steps that touch soil, and gutters that dump water next to the foundation all make it easier for termites to reach a house. Newer homes on slabs are not immune either; termites can enter through cracks in the slab, expansion joints, and gaps around plumbing that comes up through the floor.
Sign 1: Swarmers in spring
The most noticeable sign is a swarm. Each year, mature colonies send out winged reproductive termites, called swarmers or alates, to start new colonies. In Middle Tennessee this usually happens in spring, often on a warm day after rain, and swarms tend to happen during the daytime.
- A swarm outdoors near a stump or woodpile is common and does not by itself mean your house is infested.
- A swarm inside the house, often near windows, doors, or light sources, is a strong sign that a colony has access to the structure.
- Swarmers are weak fliers and usually die within hours indoors. Collect a few in a sealed bag or jar so an inspector can confirm what they are.
Sign 2: Shed wings
After swarming, termites drop their wings. Small piles of identical, translucent wings on windowsills, in spider webs, or on the floor near doors are a common clue, even if you never saw the swarm itself.
Sign 3: Mud tubes
Subterranean termites dry out quickly in open air, so they build shelter tubes out of soil and saliva to travel between the ground and the wood they are eating. Look for brown, pencil-width tubes running up:
- Foundation walls, inside and out
- Crawlspace piers, block walls, and the sides of sill plates
- Basement walls, plumbing lines, and the backs of wooden steps
If you break a small section of tube and it is rebuilt within a few days, there is likely an active colony. Old, dry, crumbling tubes can be left from past activity, so an inspector should still evaluate them.
Sign 4: Damaged or hollow wood
Termites eat wood from the inside out and usually leave a thin outer surface intact. Signs include wood that sounds hollow when tapped, baseboards or trim that a screwdriver pushes into easily, bubbling or rippled paint, and doors or windows that suddenly stick. When damaged wood is opened, subterranean termite galleries usually run along the grain and are often packed with soil-like material.
Termites or flying ants?
Spring is also when many ants swarm, and the two are often confused. A few features help tell them apart:
- Waist: termites have a broad, straight waist; ants have a pinched, narrow waist.
- Antennae: termite antennae are straight and beaded; ant antennae are bent, or elbowed.
- Wings: termite wings are all about the same length and much longer than the body; ant front wings are longer than the back wings.
Carpenter ants are also common in wooded parts of Middle Tennessee and can damage moist wood, so either finding is worth having checked.
What to do if you find signs
- Do not panic or spray. Termite damage usually develops over months or years, so you have time to get a proper inspection. Store-bought sprays can kill the termites you see while leaving the colony untouched, and they can make it harder for an inspector to find activity.
- Save evidence. Keep a few swarmers or wings in a sealed bag, and take photos of tubes or damage.
- Get an inspection. A licensed pest control company can inspect the crawlspace, foundation, and wood members and explain what they find. It is reasonable to get more than one opinion on a large treatment.
- Fix moisture problems. Repair leaks, improve crawlspace drainage and ventilation, clean gutters, and pull mulch and soil back from the foundation.
How termite treatment works
Most subterranean termite treatments fall into two main approaches, sometimes used together:
- Liquid soil treatments: a termiticide is applied to the soil around and under the foundation, often by trenching and, in some cases, drilling through slabs or porches. Many modern products are non-repellent, meaning termites move through the treated soil and carry the active ingredient back to the colony.
- Bait systems: stations are installed in the soil around the house and monitored. When termites feed on the bait, they carry a slow-acting insect growth regulator back to the colony. Baits often take longer to work and require ongoing monitoring visits.
Costs vary a great deal with the size of the house, its construction, the method, and whether ongoing monitoring is included. Commonly cited national ranges run from a few hundred dollars for a small localized treatment to a few thousand dollars for a full treatment on a larger home, with annual renewal fees for many warranties. Get written quotes that describe the method, the product, and the area treated.
Questions to ask a termite company
- Is the company chartered by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to perform termite work, and who will do the treatment?
- What product and method do you recommend, and why for this house?
- Does the warranty cover retreatment only, or also repair of new damage? What does annual renewal cost?
- How often will you inspect after treatment, and what happens if termites come back?
- Will you provide a written inspection report with a diagram of findings?
Buying or selling a home
Many home sales in Tennessee include a wood destroying insect inspection, and some loan programs require one. These reports describe visible evidence at the time of the inspection. They are not a guarantee that a house is free of termites, so ask what areas were inaccessible and whether the home has an existing termite warranty that can transfer to a new owner.
Preventing termites
- Keep mulch thin and pulled several inches back from the foundation, and keep soil below the top of the foundation wall.
- Store firewood and lumber off the ground and away from the house.
- Direct downspouts away from the foundation and fix leaking faucets and AC condensate lines.
- Keep crawlspace vents clear and consider a vapor barrier if the crawlspace stays damp.
- Have the home inspected periodically, especially if you live in an older home or have had termites before.
UT Extension publishes homeowner fact sheets on termite biology and control, and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture can help you confirm a company's charter before you sign a contract.
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Frequently asked questions
When do termites swarm in Tennessee?
Eastern subterranean termites in Middle Tennessee usually swarm in spring, often on a warm day after rain. Swarms inside the house are a strong sign the structure has an active colony and should be inspected.
Do termites mean my house is unsafe?
Usually not right away. Termite damage tends to build over months or years. Get a professional inspection to find out how extensive the activity is, and have a contractor evaluate any badly damaged structural wood.
Can I treat termites myself?
Store products can kill termites you see, but subterranean colonies live in the soil and are hard to reach without professional equipment and products. Most homeowners are better served by a licensed company's inspection and treatment plan.