Termites in Michigan surprise a lot of people, yet the eastern subterranean termite does live in the southern Lower Peninsula, including Washtenaw County. The city's cold winters keep colonies smaller and slower than in the South, but they do survive in warm, protected soil next to heated foundations. In a place like Ann Arbor, with many older wood-frame houses and a steady real estate market, understanding the risk, without overreacting, is worthwhile.
PestMinistry is a referral service. We connect callers with independent, licensed termite providers serving Ann Arbor. We do not inspect or treat homes ourselves.
What termites live here
Only the eastern subterranean termite matters. It nests underground, builds mud tubes and feeds on structural wood. Drywood and Formosan termites are southern species and are not established in Michigan. Because colonies grow slowly in the cold, an infestation can take years to produce serious damage, though that gives hidden problems time to develop in neglected crawlspaces and basements.
Which Ann Arbor homes deserve extra attention
- Early-twentieth-century houses on the Old West Side, in Burns Park and Water Hill with stone or brick foundations and wood sills near soil.
- Houses with additions, porches and decks built on wood posts in direct soil contact.
- Homes with damp basements or crawlspaces, especially near the Huron River floodplain.
- Properties with heavy mulch, old stumps or buried wood from past tree removal.
- Student rentals where maintenance is deferred, and small leaks go unnoticed.
Spotting trouble
- Winged termites emerging indoors in spring or early summer, with wings shed on windowsills.
- Mud tubes at the foundation, on joists or climbing piers.
- Wood that is hollow or has a thin, layered surface.
- Swollen baseboards, stuck doors or bubbling paint.
Carpenter ants are much more common here and can look similar at first. They leave clean tunnels and coarse frass, whereas termites pack tunnels with soil.
Inspection and treatment
An inspector will examine the foundation, basement or crawlspace, porch supports, attic and exterior grade, probing suspect wood and checking moisture. When activity is found, common treatments include a liquid barrier in the soil, bait stations around the perimeter or both. Treatments in older homes with stone foundations or finished basements may require creative approaches, and your provider should explain access, safety and monitoring. Ask for written documentation of any findings and work.
Cutting the risk
- Keep soil and mulch below siding and away from wood trim.
- Repair gutters, downspouts and grading so water drains from the foundation.
- Use a vapor barrier in crawlspaces and run a dehumidifier in basements.
- Replace rotten porch posts and keep wood from touching the ground.
- Store firewood off the ground and away from the house.
Buying and renting
Buyers of older Ann Arbor homes often include a wood-destroying insect inspection. Landlords of rental property may wish to schedule periodic checks, since students are unlikely to notice slow damage.
Next step
If you suspect termites, call (844) 725-1661. We will connect you with a licensed provider in Ann Arbor.
Frequently asked questions
Are termites a big problem in Michigan?
They are less common than in warmer states, but present in the southern part of the Lower Peninsula.
Can freezing winters kill them?
They retreat below the frost line or survive near heated foundations, so winter does not eliminate them.
How can I distinguish termite swarmers from ants?
Look at the waist, antennae and wings: termites have a thick waist, straight antennae and equal wings.
Is treatment disruptive?
Most treatments take a day or two and do not require leaving, though drilling may be needed in some areas.