Buyer guide
In Georgia, the question isn't if a home will see termites — it's when. Here's what a termite letter is, who checks for termites, what a termite bond covers, and how to get your termite letter free when you buy with us.
For Georgia Move buyers
When you're under contract with Georgia Move Realty, we'll provide your official Georgia termite letter free. A licensed pest control company inspects the home during your due diligence period and issues the state's official report — so you know what you're buying before your deadline.
Just tell your agent when you schedule your home inspection, and we'll take care of the rest.
How common are they?
Georgia's warm, humid climate and red clay soil are ideal for termites, and they're active across the whole state. Most homes here will deal with termites at some point, which is why most Georgia homeowners keep a termite bond with a pest control company.
The termites you'll almost always run into are native subterranean termites. They live in the soil and travel up into the house through mud tubes, foundation cracks and any wood that touches the ground, then quietly eat the wood from the inside out. Swarms of winged termites are most common on warm days in late winter and spring.
Formosan termites — the aggressive species known in New Orleans — have been found at a handful of Georgia sites since the 1990s, mostly around metro Atlanta. UGA Extension says they're still rare in Georgia. They usually arrive in infested old railroad crossties used for retaining walls or landscaping.
UGA: identifying Formosan termites ↗The termite letter
A "termite letter" is the Official Georgia Wood Infestation Inspection Report — the only form Georgia allows for reporting wood-destroying insects when a home is sold. It can only be issued by a pest control company licensed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
Visible evidence of active or previous infestation by:
If termites or other covered pests the report said were absent are found within 90 days of the report, the company must treat the home free of charge. Georgia doesn't let companies change or waive that guarantee.
It's not a structural inspection and not a promise there are no termites — it reports what was visible that day. If it shows active or previous infestation, assume there's some damage, and have it evaluated by a qualified contractor or your home inspector before your due diligence ends.
Inspections
Only a company licensed in Georgia's wood-destroying-organisms category can issue the termite letter. The inspection is done by one of its certified or registered technicians, and the report is signed by the company's certified operator. They'll check the crawlspace or basement, the foundation, the exterior, the garage and attached decks and porches.
You can check any company's license with the Georgia Department of Agriculture's Structural Pest Control office at (404) 656-3641.
Your general home inspector will also point out termite damage, mud tubes, moisture problems and wood touching the ground — but a home inspection isn't the official termite letter. Get both: the inspector looks at the whole house, and the pest company certifies what it finds.
Pest control companies we trust →Ongoing protection
A termite bond is a service contract with a pest control company: they inspect the home every year and, if termites come back, take care of it. Many Georgia homes come with one, and most can be transferred to the buyer.
If termites return, the company re-treats the home at no extra charge. It does not pay to fix damage.
Covers retreatment and repair of new termite damage, usually up to a limit. It costs more each year.
On a showing or inspection
Under contract
Resources
Good to know: this page is general information. Your pest control company and home inspector can tell you about your specific home.