Question: Some of my neighbors in Central Virginia have reported termite damage on their properties. How can I tell if the insects I see are ants or termites? What measures can I take to prevent termite infestations?
The Eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, is the most common termite found in Virginia. Present in all 50 states except for Alaska, this insect pest causes approximately $5 billion dollars annually in damage each year to homes, historical sites and commercial buildings.
Identifying termites
Ants are often confused with termites because of their tendency to swarm at the same time of the year (March through June). However, the two are easily distinguished by differences in their antennae, body form and wing length. (See the table to the left).
Subterranean termites live in colonies with an entire class or caste of termites performing a single specific task for the benefit of the entire colony. There are three main castes inside the colony: Each caste has a different appearance.
Image by Virginia Cooperative Extension
- The swarmers or “alates” are the adult winged termites that emerge in the spring and early summer from their nests in a swarm. They eventually develop into black wingless king and queen termites (also called reproductives), mate and start new colonies. A single queen can produce over 500 eggs in a year. While the king’s form, color and size remain unchanged, the queen’s abdomen becomes black and white striped as she prepares to lay eggs and grows from 0.25 to 0.5 inches in length. A secondary caste of cream colored reproductives may also develop and cause the colony to grow at a more rapid rate with thousands of eggs produced in a single colony.
Image by Virginia Cooperative Extension
- The worker caste repairs the nest, builds tunnels, locates food, and feeds and grooms the young, other castes and each other. They have white soft bodies and no eyes or wings. They are found in infested wood.
- The soldier caste protects the colony from ants and other insect invaders. They resemble the worker termites but have an enlarged, hard, yellow-brownish head with a large jaw.
Termites can be difficult to spot because they avoid light and are most often hidden from view. Most of their activity takes place in nests beneath the soil. While swarms of flying termites or piles of discarded wings of the king and queen termites are likely the first signs of termites nearby, worker termites may be visible as they forage or if infested wood is disturbed. Soldier termites may be present near termite tunnels or food sources. Foraging termites may indicate a nest up to 120 yards away. Other signs of termite activity include the tunnels used to travel between their nests and food sources, piles of soil in cracks and crevices and wood that is hollowed out or otherwise structurally unsound.
Termite Damage
While the first evidence of termites is alarming, it does not necessarily mean that your home or outbuildings have been affected. Termites can also be found in tree stumps, landscape timbers, wood piles and fences or anywhere wood is in direct contact with the ground. The nests could be somewhere in your yard, your neighborhood or a nearby wooded area. If swarmers are found, it is a good indication that a healthy colony is nearby and that new colonies are being established. While swarmers do not cause damage, they do increase the risk of larger populations of termites and the chance of serious infestations. It is important that the problem is investigated as soon as possible, especially if termites are found indoors. If left untreated, the structural integrity of buildings will likely be impacted.
Treatment of Termite Infestations
The best practice is to hire a certified pest control professional in your area to provide a complete assessment of the damage and recommend the most effective treatment plan and repair solutions. Tackling the problem without professional help can be ineffective and, if using pesticides, can be dangerous to your health. The Virginia Pest Management Association provides a searchable state-wide list of certified wood destroying insect (WDI) inspectors. Treatments and repairs can be costly and time consuming. Be sure to get several estimates before you make a choice. If termites are found on your property, you will also want to schedule periodic inspections to avoid future infestations.
Prevention is Key
Given the prevalence of termites in Virginia, prevention is the best option to avoid having problems with termites. As soft bodied insects, termites are constantly at risk of dehydration and must retain their connection with moist soil. Make your property less hospitable to termites by reducing moisture around foundations and repairing leaking pipes, faucets or air conditioners. Keep crawl spaces dry and well ventilated. To limit their food sources, remove dead trees and brush piles and store firewood several feet from buildings and off the ground. In addition, keep mulch several inches below wooden parts of your home and away from the foundation and lowest edges of siding. When planning an addition or building a new house, be sure to know how the builder’s plans to comply with Virginia’s building code requirements for termite protection or treatments.
Termites can also damage vegetable and flower gardens by feeding on the cellulose in a wide range of plants. The Alabama Cooperative Extension provides detailed do’s and don’ts to control termites in the garden.
Being aware of insect activity on your property and a few preventative measures can go a long way toward effective protection from termite damage.
Featured Image: Swarmers on a tree stump by Pixabay
References
“National Pesticide Information Center”, Oregon State University, 12 May 2025.
“Subterranean Termite Biology and Behavior”, Miller, Dini M., Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Entomology, Virginia Tech, publication 444-502, 5 Mar 2010.
“Signs of Subterranean Termite Infestation”, Miller, Dini M., Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Entomology, Virginia Tech, publication 444-501, 5 Mar 2010.
“Termites”, Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,
“Termites”, University of Maryland, University of Maryland Extension, 17 Oct 2024
“Termites: How to Identify and Control Them”, United States Environmental Protection Agency, 4 June 2025.
“Termites – Preventing Problems in Existing Homes”, Waldvogel, Michael, Extension Specialist, Entomology and Plant Pathology et. al., NC State, NC State Extension, 7 Apr 2022.
“Termite Prevention – Approaches for New Construction”, Waldvogel, Michael, Extension Specialist, Entomology and Plant Pathology et. al., NC State, NC State Extension,
“Termite Swarmers – What Do They Mean for You?”, Crawley, Assistant Professor, and Hayes, Christopher C., Doctoral Candidate and Research Assistant, Entomology & Plant Pathology, North Carolina State, NC State Extension, 24 Feb 2023.
“Termites Take Flight: Eastern Subterranean Termites, Reticulitermes Flavipes”, Raupp, Michael J., Ph.D., Professor of Entomology, Extension Specialist, University of Maryland, University of Maryland Extension, 2013.
“Termite Treatment in Organic Gardens”, Hu, Ping Xing, Alabama A & M and Auburn Universities, Extension, 24 May 2021.