Few cities in the mid-South are as hospitable to termites as Memphis. The climate is warm and moist, the soil is rich, and the Mississippi River floodplain keeps the water table high in many areas. Eastern subterranean termites are the species most homeowners encounter, but Memphis is also known for Formosan termite infestations, a much more aggressive species that forms enormous colonies. In neighborhoods from Midtown to Germantown Parkway, from Frayser to Cordova, wood-framed homes and many large old trees give termites plenty to feed on.
PestMinistry is a referral service. We connect callers with independent, licensed termite providers in our network; we do not carry out inspections or treatments ourselves.
Eastern subterranean versus Formosan
Eastern subterranean termites nest in the ground, build mud tubes, and eat wood slowly but steadily. They are the usual cause of swarms in April and May. Formosan termites are a subterranean species too, but their colonies are bigger, their workers are more numerous, and they can also build aerial nests above ground when moisture is available, for example in a wall with a roof leak. Swarms appear on warm evenings in late spring and are drawn to lights. A provider can tell the species apart, and it affects how thorough the treatment must be.
Signs to watch for
- Winged termites at porch lights or window screens in the evening.
- Mud tubes on foundation walls, pier supports or sheds.
- Damaged, honeycombed wood visible when a damp board is pried open.
- Bubbling paint, tight doors or small holes in drywall.
- Sagging floors over a crawl space.
Memphis homes at greatest risk
Midtown and Cooper-Young are full of early twentieth-century wood-frame bungalows with pier-and-beam crawl spaces, where termites can work unseen for years. Mid-century ranches in Hickory Hill and Raleigh often have slabs with plumbing penetrations that termites can use to reach framing. Homes near the river or low-lying creek beds may have damp soil year-round. Large oak and pecan trees with dead roots and old stumps near foundations feed colonies close to a house.
Treatment and monitoring
- A complete inspection, including crawl space moisture, wood-to-soil contact and attic evidence.
- A soil treatment that creates a continuous barrier, bait stations around the structure, or both.
- Targeted treatment of active tubes or aerial nests when Formosan activity is suspected.
- Annual re-inspection to renew coverage and spot new activity.
Ask a provider whether their plan accounts for the possibility of Formosan termites, and how they handle moisture sources that can support aerial colonies.
Cutting the risk
- Repair roof, plumbing and window leaks promptly.
- Remove stumps and buried scrap wood.
- Keep soil several inches below wood siding.
- Ventilate crawl spaces and cover bare soil with vapor barriers.
- Keep gutters working and downspouts extended.
Schedule an inspection
Call (844) 725-1661 and we will connect you with a licensed provider in our network who serves Memphis.
Memphis termite questions
Are Formosan termites in every Memphis neighborhood?
No, but they have been found in parts of the city. Because they are hard to distinguish without expertise, an inspection is the safest way to know.
When is swarm season?
Most swarms occur in spring after warm rain, though they can happen at other times.
Can I see termite damage from the outside?
Often not. Damage tends to be hidden in walls, floors and crawl spaces until it is well advanced.
Is a bait system better than liquid treatment?
Each has advantages. Your provider can recommend based on your foundation type and activity found.