Termites · Atlanta, GA
Termite control for Atlanta homes built on Georgia clay
Eastern subterranean termites live in the soil under almost every Atlanta neighborhood. Control is a long-term program: an inspection, a treatment strategy matched to your foundation, and documented follow-up.
Looking for a termite exterminator in Atlanta, or a termite company that explains its plan before treating? This page covers how termite control works for Atlanta houses, from the first inspection to prevention.
Call if you notice:
- Swarmers or piles of shed wings indoors
- Mud tubes on the foundation or crawl-space piers
- Wood that sounds hollow or paint that bubbles
Why termites are the headline pest in Atlanta
The Atlanta area pairs a warm, humid climate and roughly 50 inches of yearly rain (NOAA normals for Hartsfield-Jackson) with a lot of wood-frame housing. Native Reticulitermes subterranean termites nest in moist soil and forage upward through hidden routes: cracks in slabs, hollow block foundations, crawl-space piers, and wood touching soil.
UGA Extension also reports a small number of confirmed Formosan termite sites, most of them in metro Atlanta. They are rare, but their late-May swarms and very large colonies are worth knowing about.
Signs that call for a termite inspection
Swarmers or shed wings
Small dark insects with two pairs of equal wings, piled near windows or doors. See termite swarmers.
Mud tubes
Pencil-width earthen tunnels on foundation walls, piers, plumbing or inside wall voids.
Damaged or hollow wood
Wood that sounds papery when tapped, or has layered galleries packed with soil.
Bubbling paint and sticking doors
Moisture and tunneling behind drywall can mimic water damage.
How a professional termite program works
Inspection
A WDO inspector checks the foundation perimeter, crawl space or basement, attic access, garage, porches and wood-to-soil contact. Conducive conditions such as moisture, wood debris and grade problems are documented. More on termite inspections.
Strategy
Liquid soil treatment, a baiting system, or a combination, chosen to fit the construction (slab, crawl space, basement), the access, the presence of wells or water lines, and your preferences.
Treatment
Liquid termiticides are applied to soil along and under the foundation per label directions. Bait stations are installed around the perimeter and serviced on a schedule. Compare treatment methods.
Contract and re-inspection
Georgia rules require WDO contracts to state whether re-inspections will be made and at what interval. Read what is covered: retreatment, repair, or both.
Liquid barrier vs. baiting system
| Liquid soil treatment | Baiting system | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Treated soil zone along and beneath the foundation | Stations with cellulose bait that workers share through the colony |
| Best fit | Active infestations, accessible foundations, crawl spaces | Sensitive sites, hard-to-drill slabs, ongoing monitoring |
| Disruption | Trenching and drilling at some points | Small in-ground stations around the perimeter |
| Follow-up | Periodic inspections | Scheduled station servicing required |
Termite prevention for Atlanta properties
- Keep mulch and soil a few inches below siding and away from the slab edge.
- Fix gutters and downspouts so roof water drains away from the foundation.
- Remove wood debris, old form boards and stumps from crawl spaces and beside the house.
- Maintain a gap between soil and wood siding, steps, lattice and fence posts.
- Reduce crawl-space humidity: vapor barrier, working vents or encapsulation, and quick plumbing-leak repair.
- Store firewood off the ground and away from exterior walls.
What affects the cost of termite control
We don’t publish prices before an inspection. These factors determine the scope of work:
- Linear footage of the foundation
- Construction type (slab, crawl space, basement, additions)
- Treatment method and product
- Severity and location of activity
- Access obstacles (patios, finished basements, wells)
- Contract type and re-inspection terms
How it works
Call
Tell us what you’re seeing, where, and for how long. Photos help.
Inspection
A technician checks the house, crawl space or basement, attic access and yard, and finds the source, not just the symptoms.
Your plan
You get the treatment options that fit your home, what each involves, and the factors that set the cost, before any work starts.
Treatment & follow-up
Targeted treatment, practical fixes you can make, and follow-up visits where the pest needs them.
Frequently asked questions
When do termites swarm in Atlanta?
Native subterranean termites usually swarm on warm days in late winter and spring, often after rain. UGA notes that the rarer Formosan termite swarms in late May and early June around dusk.
Do I need a termite inspection to sell a house in Georgia?
Many lenders and buyers require the Official Georgia Wood Infestation Inspection Report. It can only be issued by a company licensed in the WDO category. See our guide to the termite letter.
Can I treat termites myself?
Over-the-counter products rarely reach the colony or create a continuous treated zone. Termite work for hire in Georgia requires a WDO-licensed company, and a documented contract protects you when you sell.
Termite Control across Atlanta
We cover intown Atlanta inside I-285 and the nearby cities listed below.
Intown Atlanta
- Downtown Atlanta
- Midtown Atlanta
- Old Fourth Ward
- West Midtown & Northwest Atlanta
- Inman Park
- Poncey-Highland
- Virginia-Highland
- Morningside-Lenox Park
- Ansley Park
- Candler Park & Lake Claire
- Kirkwood & Edgewood
- East Lake
- East Atlanta & Ormewood Park
- Grant Park & Glenwood Park
- West End & Vine City
- Westview & Mozley Park
- Southwest Atlanta
- Southeast & South-Central Atlanta
- Buckhead