The short version
Most termite problems in Savannah are eastern subterranean termites, and the usual fix is a liquid soil treatment or bait stations. Start with an inspection; $75–$250 is typical.
- Look for mud tubes, shed wings and hollow-sounding wood.
- Swarms usually show up from March through May.
- The usual fix is a soil barrier or bait stations.
- An inspection typically costs $75–$250.
- Insurance usually doesn’t cover termite damage.
Homeowners, landlords and anyone buying or selling a house in Savannah, whether you've spotted something or just want to know what to watch for.
What to look for
Spongy floors or bubbling paint usually mean long-running damage. So it's worth an inspection, even for one or two signs. Termites work quietly. A colony can feed inside a wall for years. Average winter lows near 40°F slow termites near the surface around Savannah, but they move deeper and keep feeding under heated homes.
- 1Winged swarmers indoors, especially in spring.
- 2Termite tubes hanging down from ceilings or joists.
- 3Mud tubes running up foundation walls or piers.
- 4Mud in cracks of subfloor or joists.
- 5Damage found during a remodel or repair.
- 6Piles of identical shed wings on windowsills.
Why it’s worth acting soon
- Colonies grow and spread every year they go untreated.
- Damage hides behind drywall, flooring and trim.
- Homeowners insurance usually doesn’t cover termite damage.
- An active infestation can complicate a home sale.
- Formosan colonies are large and can do serious damage quickly.
Treatment options and typical costs
Termite Inspection and WDI Report
$75–$250
The inspector checks the foundation, garage, attic and damp spots. Bring up anything you’ve noticed.
- Time
- 60–120 minutes
- Best for
- Every job, real estate closings, and yearly peace of mind
Bait Station System with Monitoring
$1,500–$3,500 install, plus $300–$500 per year
Baiting is slower than a liquid barrier but reaches deeper colonies. For a Savannah home on a well or with a finished slab, it is often the cleaner option.
- Time
- 2–4 hours to install; checked quarterly
- Best for
- Colony elimination, wells and slabs, homes near water
Annual Renewal and Monitoring
$150–$400 per year
Ask what a renewal in Savannah actually includes, and whether it covers retreatment or repairs. A retreatment-only plan is common; damage repair coverage costs more.
- Time
- 30–60 minutes per visit
- Best for
- Keeping a treated home protected after the initial job
Fumigation for Drywood Termites
$1,200–$4,000 (often $1–$4 per square foot)
Tenting is mainly for drywood termites. Most homes here never need it.
- Time
- 2–3 days including tenting and aeration
- Best for
- Widespread drywood termites throughout a structure
Prices are typical published ranges. Ask what’s included before you compare quotes.
Drywood termites can fly straight into attic framing through vents, so attics belong on the inspection list in warm climates.Which termites live around Savannah.
Formosan termites have spread into parts of Georgia too. Their colonies dwarf native ones. Inspectors take them seriously. The termite you're most likely to meet in Savannah is the eastern subterranean termite. It nests in soil and builds mud tubes to reach wood. It needs steady moisture.
Local termites conditions in Savannah.
Savannah sits in a humid subtropical climate, and that sets the pace for termite activity here: spring swarm season (March-May), warmer earlier in the south. For Savannah homes, the area is mostly urban, so termites pressure can differ from one block to the next depending on how tight the entry points are and how much food, water, or shelter is close by. An inspection in Savannah usually starts outside and works inward, checking the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and any moisture or clutter near the structure first. Knowing Savannah's seasonal timing lets you schedule treatment before the busy stretch rather than after it, which usually means faster service and a more accurate quote. A provider who works Savannah and Georgia every day can point out the specific conditions that matter most here, and getting the scope, price, and follow-up terms in writing makes it easier to compare options.
Sealing the gap where pipes enter the house takes away one of the easiest routes in. It won't replace treatment, but it helps.When termites swarm here.
For Savannah homes, eastern subterranean termites usually swarm from March through May, typically on a warm, sunny day after rain. Formosan termites in Georgia swarm later, from late April into June. Look for them on warm, humid evenings around porch lights. A swarm outside means a colony is nearby. A swarm inside usually means it's in the house. Save a few in a bag, or snap a clear photo. Swarm season is when termites show themselves.
Where to look around your house.
Check the piers, the sill plate and the floor joists. Standing water or a musty smell needs fixing either way. A lot of houses around Savannah are built over crawl spaces, and that's usually where termites start. Take a flashlight underneath.
A year of termites in Savannah.
- Fall: with about 49 inches of rain a year in Savannah, make sure gutters and downspouts carry water well away from the foundation. - Winter: a good time to book an inspection in Savannah, before swarm season starts. - Spring: swarm season. For Savannah homes, expect it from March through May. Check windowsills and light fixtures for wings. - Summer: with highs around 92°F in Savannah, termites follow moisture, so watch AC drain lines, sprinkler zones and hose bibs.
What happens at an inspection.
Most inspections take an hour or two. The inspector walks the outside of the house first. They check the foundation, the soil line and nearby wood. Inside, they check the garage, baseboards, plumbing gaps and the attic. They'll also go into the crawl space. A moisture meter and a probe help them find hidden activity. Afterward, ask them to show you what they found. Photos help.
Termites or ants?
- Debris: termites leave mud. Carpenter ants leave sawdust. - Tunnels: termite galleries are packed with mud. Ant tunnels are clean and smooth. - Wings: termite wings are all the same length. Ant wings aren’t. - Waist: termites are thick through the middle. Ants are pinched. - Antennae: termite antennae are straight. Ant antennae bend like an elbow.
Getting ready for treatment day.
Keep pets and kids inside while the crew works outside. Ask how long to stay off treated soil. Any drill holes in a slab or patio get patched. Soil treatments and bait stations need little prep. Clear a path along the outside walls. Move stored boxes away from garage walls. Mark sprinkler heads and any buried lines.
Mulch and termites.
Keep mulch thin and pull it back from the foundation. A dry strip along the house lets you spot mud tubes. Wood chips right against siding hold moisture termites like.
Questions to ask before you sign.
- What does the warranty cover, and for how long? - What does the yearly renewal cost? - What do I need to do before and after treatment? - Which termites did you find, and where? - What product or system will you use? - Is the whole foundation treated, or just one spot?
What affects the price
- Annual renewal and monitoring fees.
- Attached garages, decks, and additions.
- Wells, drains, or water features limiting chemical use.
- Liquid barrier versus bait station system.
- Linear feet of foundation to be treated.
- Access to crawl spaces and attics.
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What's your biggest concern about termites?
When to call for help
Termites leave mud. Carpenter ants leave clean tunnels and sawdust. It's also the cheapest termite service. Lenders often ask for one. Get a wood-destroying insect (WDI) report either way. Buying or selling? Hollow-sounding wood is another clue. Call if you see mud tubes, pellets or an indoor swarm.
What you can do yourself
Some of the work is yours. Pull mulch back from the foundation. Fix leaks and clear gutters. Keep firewood away from the house. Treating an active colony is harder. The product has to reach the whole colony. It also needs even coverage around the entire foundation. Store-bought sprays usually kill only the termites you see.
Termites in Savannah
An annual inspection is common sense here. With summer highs around 92°F, Savannah's humid subtropical climate decides when local termites are busiest. A typical home in Savannah is worth around $290k, which puts a few hundred dollars for an inspection and prevention in perspective. Savannah gets about 49 inches of rain a year, and average humidity sits near 73%, so the soil around foundations rarely dries out. Georgia is one of the most termite-active states in the country.
Local research
Termites in Savannah, GA: what the public record shows
Before you compare quotes, it helps to know which termites actually live in Georgia, when they are busiest around Savannah, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.
Georgia spending on remedial termite control
Georgia homeowners collectively spend hundreds of millions on treating existing infestations.
University of Georgia ExtensionTermite species recorded in Georgia
- Eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes) — UGA calls it 'the most widely distributed subterranean termite, and it is the most common termite found in the eastern United States'; it swarms February through April in Georgi…
- Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus) — FDACS lists it in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas, Arizona, California and Hawaii. Colonies contain…
- Dark and light southeastern subterranean termites (Reticulitermes virginicus; Reticulitermes hageni) — UGA: both are 'generally less economically important when compared to R. flavipes'; R. virginicus swarms April–June and R. hageni July–September. Part of the Reticulitermes comp…
When termites are busiest around Savannah
Eastern subterranean swarms February–April; dark southeastern April–June; light southeastern July–September; Formosan dusk to about midnight April–July (UGA).
UGA lists Georgia among states with patchy Formosan distribution. Georgia requires written contracts 'for all structural pest control services such as termite treatments', and the Official Georgia Wood Infestation Inspection Report ('termite letter') is used in home sales.
Rules that apply in Georgia
Sources: Biology of Subterranean Termites in the Eastern United States (B1209); University of Missouri Extension; Formosan Termite Program. Figures are quoted as the source prints them. How we check our sources
Simple ways to keep termites away
- Store firewood well away from the house, off the ground.
- Set deck and porch posts on concrete, not soil.
- Grade soil to slope away from the foundation.
- Trim shrubs so foundation walls stay visible and dry.
- Paint or seal exposed exterior wood.
A damp cabinet under a leaky sink is worth reporting to your landlord early. Fixing the leak removes what draws termites in.Did you know?
For Savannah homes, soldier termites can't feed themselves, so the workers feed them mouth to mouth.
Questions people ask
How do I know if I have termites or flying ants?
Ants have a pinched waist; termites don't. Save one in a bag for the inspector. Check the wings and the waist. Termite wings are all the same length.
Are mud tubes always a sign of active termites?
Break off a piece and check back in a week. If it's rebuilt, they're active. Not always. Old tubes can stay on a wall for years.
Do I have to leave my house during termite treatment?
Fumigation is different. Everyone leaves for two to three days, pets and houseplants included. Not for a soil treatment or bait stations.
Does fumigation kill subterranean termites too?
Tenting clears termites inside the house. It doesn't reach a colony living in the soil. Not reliably.
When is termite swarming season?
For Savannah homes, termites are best caught early through inspection, because the damage is hidden inside wood until it is far along. For Savannah homes, a professional inspection looks for mud tubes, damaged wood, and swarming activity, and treatment targets the soil and the colony rather than just the visible wood.
Are termites common in Georgia?
Around Savannah, the usual culprit is the eastern subterranean termite.
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Sources (10)
The facts in this article come from the public sources listed above. Every home is different, so ask the company you talk to about pricing and what’s included. Published by Termite Exterminator · Updated September 11, 2026 · How we write these guides