Everything to Know About Termites in Massachusetts

A macro photo of termites

Massachusetts is wicked awesome. It has the Berkshires, the Cape, and everything in between, but there’s an underlying threat you may not know about: termites. They strike fear in the hearts of homeowners everywhere. But knowledge is power. We’ve got everything you need to know about termites in Massachusetts.

Are There Termites in Massachusetts

Yes, there are termites in Massachusetts. In fact, termites are found in every state except Alaska. 

According to the Termite Infestation Probability Zone Map, the risk of infestation throughout Massachusetts is moderate to heavy. The only exception is The Cape, which has just a slight risk of infestation.

What Kind of Termites Live in Massachusetts

eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes)
Photo Credit: USDA ARS Photo Unit / USDA Agricultural Research Service / Bugwood.org

The only termite native to Massachusetts is the Eastern subterranean termite. However, it’s critical to note that drywood and Forsman termites can hitchhike in through crates when goods are shipped in from other parts of the country. They are unlikely to survive a New England winter, but they can survive inside warm buildings and homes.

Western Massachusetts

Termites are common in Western Massachusetts because subterranean termites love wet, dead, rotting wood. With the abundance of moisture, forests, and trees here, termites are in their happy place, and they can easily move from munching on a dead log to your home.

Central Massachusetts

Termites are common in Central Mass because of the forests and the population. An increase in homes means more dead wood and a higher likelihood of standing water. While some homes (not all!) are built with pressure-treated wood, it’s only a deterrent. Termites can still infest a pressure-treated home.

Metro West Massachusetts

Metro West Massachusetts is still firmly in the termite zone of the Termite Infestation Probability Zone Map. The heavier population and plant life make Metro West a desirable place for termites. Worse yet, the proximity to Boston means you have a higher likelihood of non-native termites coming in from elsewhere.

Boston and Metro Massachusetts

Termites in Boston are a problem for two reasons. First, the buildings are built very closely together, making it easy for termites to feast on one home and then the next. Also, Mass has the second oldest homes in the US and is less likely to have pressure-treated wood. Second, Boston is a major import hub, meaning non-native termites are a problem.

Northeast Massachusetts

Termites in Northeast Massachusetts are a problem for much of the same reasons as Metro West. The higher population density, forests, and proximity to Boston are all risk factors for the area. However, if you live on the border of New Hampshire or on the coast, your risk may be slightly lower due to the cold, sand, and salty sea.

Southeast Massachusetts

Southeast Massachusetts is the only area of Massachusetts that has a significantly smaller risk of termites. Cape Cod is only slightly at risk. This is likely due to the sandy, salty soil. Termites can’t build mud tubes in sand, and salt dehydrates them.

What Do Termites Look Like in Massachusetts

Eastern Subterranean Termite
Photo Credit: Judy Gallagher / Flickr / CC BY 2.0 DEED

There are thousands of species of bugs in North America, and more than a few that can be mistaken for termites by the untrained eye. It’s important to be able to identify these guys so you can begin treatment before they wreck your house. Termites are divided into three castes, and they all look a little different.

Termite castes include:

Worker Termites

Worker termites have cream-colored bodies that are only ¼ or less long. They have caramel-colored, smallish mandibles for chewing wood and moving material to feed the colony. 

Soldier Termites

Soldier termites look similar to worker termites except for their head. Their head is large, brown, and rectangular with big dark brown mandibles. Their bodies are also slightly flatter and wider than soldier workers.

Reproductives Termites

Reproductives include the queens, the kings, and the alates. Yes, queens and kings, plural. Although there is only one reproductive pair in some colonies, other colonies have many secondary reproductives.

  • Alates: Alates are dark brown to black with clear, hairless wings. Their bodies are only slightly bigger than soldier termites but appear much larger because of their wings, making them about 0.4 inches long. They shed their wings after finding a mate and begin a new colony as king and queen.
  • Queens: Queens are the largest termite, measuring about a half inch long. Their head and torso are dark brown to black with a slight discoloration where the wings were attached. Their lower body is brownish gray, with dark brown short stripes. The lower body is squishy in appearance and makes up about ⅔ of the whole queen. 
  • Kings: Kings are dark brown to black, and they’re a little smaller than the queen. They have a slightly discolored bud where the wings were attached. The underside of their lower body is the same brownish-gray color with dark brown stripes on top as the queen, but it’s not nearly as big.
  • Secondary Reproductives: Secondary reproductives are the same size as alates without the wings. They look similar to kings but without the wing buds.

Where to Look For Termites

Landscape mulch work
Photo Credit: eyecrave / Canva Pro / License

Termites can be found anywhere there’s wood, but there are certain places where you’re likely to find them if you have an infestation.

  • Basement: Cracks and crevices in your basement, even small ones, are easy access points for termites. Basements are often dark and damp, making it an ideal environment for termites.
  • Beneath Foundation: Subterranean termites live underground, and the worker termites venture out to find food. They will burrow beneath your foundation, looking for a way into your home.
  • Dead Trees, Dead Stumps, and Firewood: Termites don’t really like live trees, but wet, decaying wood is a bountiful banquet for termites and a great place for them to establish colonies outdoors.
  • Inside Walls: Once termites find their way in, your walls are an ideal place to munch away at your home from the inside out. You may even hear them crunching their way through your house. Keep an eye out for signs of termites behind your drywall.
  • Perimeter and Mulch Beds: Your perimeter and mulch, especially if the mulch is too close to your house, are good places to look for mud tubes or live activity.
  • Wooden Structures: If any of your wooden structures, including gazebos, stairs, and trellises, are touching the ground, they can be infested with termites. Wooden structures need to be raised from the ground with a concrete foundation.

Signs of Termites

indoor termite droppings on floor
Photo Credit: lisatop / Canva Pro / License

If you’re worried that you have termites or want to monitor your home for those cruel critters, look for these common signs.

  • Discarded wings: When termite alates are ready to found a new colony, they swarm and can find their way into your home. Once they find their mate, they shed their wings, usually near window sills or doors.
  • Mud tubes: Subterranean termites take great care to keep moist and away from the sun. To get into houses without exposing themselves, they use mud tubes. If you see ¼ to 1-inch thick dirt tubes, especially near your foundation, you may have a termite problem.
  • Pellets and droppings: Like most living things, termites don’t like living in their own waste, so they remove their excrement from their tunnels. Their droppings look like coffee grounds or sawdust.
  • Sounds: Because termites don’t like the lights, it’s not likely you’ll see a termite. But you may hear them. If you hear strange clicking or crunching sounds, especially if they seem to be coming from your walls, investigate or call pest control.

Termite Swarm Season in Massachusetts

Termites swarm in Massachusetts between March and May. The alates are more likely to swarm after it rains and when it’s warm. 

Some things to note about swarm season are:

  • Swarm seasons vary for different parts of the country and for different species. Swarm season for termites, in general, is from March to November.
  • The discarded wings are sometimes the only warning signs of termite infestation.
  • Flying ants are sometimes mistaken for flying termites. In fact, there are four bugs that look like termites.

How to Prevent Termites

Pest control worker spraying pesticide
Photo Credit: GEOLEE / Canva Pro / License

An old proverb says, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is apt for termite prevention. The right preventive strategies will help you avoid costly repairs.

The best termite prevention tips for your Massachusetts home include:

  • Regular Inspections: Regularly check your perimeter, basement, and other at-risk areas for signs of termites. You should also have a yearly inspection by a professional to ensure you don’t miss anything.
  • Avoid Moisture: Termites love moisture, so carefully fix any water issue. Common moisture problems that termites exploit include leaky taps, shower heads, and toilets, system drains dripping on or near the foundation, roof or gutters in disrepair, and basement moisture.
  • Lay Mulch Carefully: Mulch is great for retaining moisture in your garden beds, and while it may not attract termites (depending on the type you’re using), it does provide a welcoming environment. Use termite-resistant mulch, like tea tree, cypress, and cedar, apply no more than 2 inches thick, and keep it a foot away from your home’s foundation.
  • Prevent Wood-to-Soil Contact: Anything made from wood shouldn’t touch the ground. Lattice, siding, stairs, frames, and posts should have a concrete foundation that raises the wood off the ground. Firewood needs to be kept on top of and under a tarp.
  • Try a Natural Termite Repellent: There are lots of natural methods that prevent termites, including essential oils like cinnamon, tea tree, citrus, vetiver, and clove bud oil, Diatomaceous Earth, sand, and steel mesh. There are even ways to get rid of termites naturally.
  • Consider chemicals: Like all chemicals, there can be a risk to using termiticides, but they’re effective. To reduce your risk, always wear PPE (personal protective equipment) and follow the manufacturer’s directions. Treatments include liquid barriers, baits, ground treatments, and termite foam.

The Cost to Get Rid of Termites in Massachusetts?

The cost to get rid of termites depends on the severity of the infestation and the size of your home. The national average for termite treatment is $558, but Massachusetts is a little higher, averaging about $850.

Here’s the breakdown.

Size of InfestationCost
Small$290 – $1,415
Medium$470 – $1,775
Large$1,415 – $5,320
Severe$1,415 – $7,680

FAQ About Termites in Massachusetts

Do termites in the yard mean termites in the house?

Termites in the yard may mean termites in the house, but it’s not a guarantee. Termites in the yard do mean there’s a colony nearby. If you find termites in your yard, you should take action to get rid of them because if they’re not in your house yet, they will be eventually. 

Is Massachusetts one of the worst states for termites?

No. Massachusetts doesn’t make the list of the worst states for termites. However, Boston falls at number 40 for the worst American cities for termites.

In case you were curious, the top 10 worst states for termites are:

  1. Florida
  2. Georgia
  3. South Carolina
  4. Alabama
  5. Mississippi
  6. Louisiana
  7. Texas
  8. California
  9. Arkansas
  10. North Carolina

Are termites in all of New England?

Yes, termites can be found anywhere in New England, but the risk of infestation varies.

  • Moderate to heavy risk: Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island
  • Slight to moderate risk: Southern New Hampshire and Southern Vermont
  • Slight to no risk: Central and Northern New Hampshire, Central and Northern Vermont, and Maine.

Should I Hire a Termite Professional?

Both termite prevention and elimination can be done yourself, but it’s not easy. Prevention means constant monitoring and it can be laborious. Elimination is harder. If even one termite survives, it’ll become the new queen, and the colony will reestablish itself. That’s why homeowners nationwide are hiring professionals to help guard against and get rid of termites.
But finding the right termite company is daunting and time-consuming. That’s where Pest Gnome can help. We’ve researched and vetted tons of local professionals so that we can connect you with an experienced, affordable, and professional pest control company. You’ll be saying ta-ta to termites wicked fast without emptying your pockabook.

Main Photo Credit: peterkai / Canva Pro / License

Nicki DeStasi

Nicki DeStasi is a writer, author, and teacher who grew up in western Massachusetts and currently resides in the Austin area. She enjoys flower and vegetable gardening, reading, cooking, listening to true-crime podcasts, and spending time with her husband, three children, dog, and cat.