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Termite identification guide
Eastern Subterranean Termites in Georgia: Swarmers, Mud Tubes and What to Do
The eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes) is the most common house-infesting termite in the United States, according to University of Georgia entomologists. It nests in the soil and reaches wood through mud (shelter) tubes. In Georgia, swarmers most commonly appear from February to April, and winged termites flying inside a building are the most common sign of an infestation.
Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Sources are listed at the end of the page.
Identification
Termite swarmer or flying ant?
Winged ants and termite swarmers are easy to confuse, and the answer changes what you do next. Mississippi State Extension gives three checks that need no magnifier. UGA adds that termite swarmers (winged reproductives) have four wings of equal length, and UGA Bulletin 1412 describes eastern subterranean termite swarmers as black to caramel colored and 1/8 to 3/16 in. long.
| Check | Termite swarmer | Winged ant |
|---|---|---|
| Antennae | Straight and beadlike | A distinct elbow or angle |
| Waist | No waist: the abdomen is broadly joined to the thorax | Narrow waist: the abdomen is narrowly joined to the thorax |
| Wings | Front and hind wings equal in length | Front wings notably longer than hind wings |
Both termites and ants shed their wings shortly after swarming, so wings are not always present on the insects you find. If you cannot tell, photograph them and save a few in a sealed container for an inspector.
How eastern subterranean termites live and what they leave behind
UGA entomologists describe subterranean termites as social insects that live in colonies in the soil. Workers forage into structures to reach wood and build shelter (mud) tubes to travel from the ground to the wood they feed on. Bulletin 1412 puts it simply: subterranean termites live in the soil and forage into structures to gain access to wood.
Workers
Immature termites that are completely white and sightless. They forage and build tunnels, and they eat wood, sometimes leaving only a thin wooden exterior.
Soldiers
Enlarged, darker heads with large mandibles. They defend the colony.
Reproductives
The only caste with pigmentation. Winged reproductives, called swarmers, leave the colony to swarm and start new colonies.
Mud tubes: UGA describes them as hollow tubes made of moist soil and termite saliva that protect termites from predators and from drying out. Tubes on a foundation wall, pier or other surface where they do not belong can mean worker termites are reaching for wood.
Swarm season in Georgia and what a swarm means
UGA says swarmers fly in the spring each year, most commonly from February to April in Georgia, although they can be seen at any time of year. What the swarm means depends on where you see it.
Swarmers outdoors
UGA says an outdoor swarm signals an active colony in the area or yard, but not necessarily a structural infestation.
Swarmers indoors
UGA calls swarmers flying inside a structure or home the most common sign of termite infestation.
Shelter tubes
UGA lists shelter tubes running from the ground into a structure as another sign of infestation.
If you find swarmers or mud tubes
- Photograph the insects, wings or tubes and note the date and exactly where you found them.
- Compare what you see with the table above: straight antennae, no waist and wings of equal length point to termites.
- Do not try to treat the structure yourself. UGA says termite control is not a do-it-yourself project, and that the products and equipment professionals use are not available to homeowners.
- Contact a local termite and pest control company for an inspection, as UGA advises when you suspect an infestation.
Inspection, treatment and how Pest Control Atlanta helps
UGA recommends an annual termite inspection of the home as a good preventive strategy, and says that if an infestation is present you should seek a professional pest management company that offers termite control services. For property owners comparing services, UGA Extension publishes Termite Control Services: Information for the Georgia Property Owner (Bulletin 1241, fully reviewed April 9, 2024).
How Pest Control Atlanta helps
Pest Control Atlanta provides termite inspection, treatment, bait systems and termite damage repair for Atlanta-area properties. Start with the page that matches your situation:
- Termite Inspection in Atlanta, GA
- Termite Treatment in Atlanta, GA
- Termite Bait Systems Installation in Atlanta, GA
- Termite Damage Repair in Atlanta, GA
You can also start from the main Termite Services page, or see our ant control service if what you found turns out to be ants.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
When do termites swarm in Georgia?
UGA says swarmers fly in the spring, most commonly from February to April in Georgia. UGA also notes they can be seen at any time of year.
Do swarmers mean termites are in my house?
It depends where you see them. UGA says an outdoor swarm signals an active colony in the area or yard but not necessarily a structural infestation. Swarmers flying inside a structure are the most common sign of an infestation, so an inspection is the next step.
What are mud tubes?
UGA describes them as hollow tubes made of moist soil and termite saliva. They protect termites from predators and from drying out while they travel between the ground and the wood they feed on.
How can I tell termites from flying ants?
Check the antennae, waist and wings. Termite swarmers have straight, beadlike antennae, no waist and front and hind wings of equal length. Winged ants have elbowed antennae, a narrow waist and front wings longer than the hind wings.
Can I treat termites myself?
UGA says no: termite control is not a do-it-yourself project, homeowners should not attempt to treat a structure for termites, and the products and equipment professionals use are not available to the novice.
How often should I have my home inspected for termites?
UGA suggests an annual inspection as a good preventive strategy.
Where this information comes from
Sources
Facts about identification, biology and safety come from the sources below, retrieved on October 7, 2026. Publication or review dates are given where the source shows one.
- Subterranean Termites (Reticulitermes spp.), UGA Integrated Pest Management — by Dan Suiter and Brian Forschler, 2021
- Preventing termites in Georgia homes, UGA CAES Field Report — by Dan Suiter, May 28, 2020
- Insect and Arthropod Pests of Southeastern Neighborhoods: A Guide to Identification and Management (Bulletin 1412), UGA Extension — published October 20, 2023
- Are These Termites or Ants?, Mississippi State University Extension — by Dr. Blake Layton; no date shown
- Termite Control Services: Information for the Georgia Property Owner (Bulletin 1241), UGA Extension — published with full review April 9, 2024; cited by title only
More identification guides
Browse the full Atlanta Pest Library, or read another identification guide:
Found swarmers or mud tubes?
Call Pest Control Atlanta to talk through what you found and schedule a termite inspection.
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