GONE Pest Management reveals Miami as the front runner of its first-ever Top 50 Termites Cities list. Los Angeles follows in second place, with Tampa, New York and New Orleans rounding out the top five, respectively.
When it comes to types of termites, all areas of the U.S. are prone to subterranean termites with concentrations from slight to very heavy. Pacific U.S. and coastal regions of the Southeast have an additional threat of drywood termites.
The list is based on treatment data from the metro areas where the most first-time customer termite treatments from February 1, 2018 – January 31, 2019 are performed. The ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments.
Miami
Los Angeles
Tampa
New York
New Orleans
Atlanta
Washington, D.C.
West Palm Beach
San Francisco
Dallas
San Diego
Orlando
Phoenix
Houston
Raleigh, N.C.
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Nashville
Chicago
Charlotte, N.C.
Ft. Myers
Norfolk, Va.
Knoxville
Greenville, S.C.
Charleston, West Va.
Mobile, Ala.
Indianapolis
Cincinnati
Pittsburgh
Kansas City
Richmond, Va.
Honolulu
St. Louis
Oklahoma City
Tulsa
Denver
Columbia, S.C.
Jacksonville
Lexington
San Antonio
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Columbus, Ohio
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Boston
Charleston, S.C.
Baton Rouge
Louisville
Savannah, Ga.
Roanoke, Va.
Champaign, Ill.
Species generally swarm based on favorable weather conditions. Most species of subterranean termites swarm in the spring and summer, a time frame when homeowners are more likely to notice signs of an infestation. Drywood termites typically swarm during the late summer or fall months, from August through November. Varying conditions may mean that swarms will occur at different times.
When they're ready, termites emerge searching for the ideal environment of warmth, moisture and food. And because of urbanization, there are fewer dead trees lying around, so termites will find their way to other sources of wood such as residential properties.
Often called the 'silent destroyer,' termites can secretly hide and thrive in your home, property or yard without any immediate signs of damage for years. U.S. residents spend an estimated $5 billion annually to control termites and repair termite damage – which occurs in approximately 600,000 homes each year.
Termites invade properties by foraging from their colonies in search of food resources and finding home foundations. Cracks or gaps around pipes and wires give the pests access inside.
Termites are the ultimate workaholics – they chew constantly causing extensive damage over time. Some enter structures through wood-to-ground contact by building shelter tubes or entering directly through cracks in the foundation as small as 1/32 of an inch – about the thickness of a business card.
These pests are a threat to your household and beyond, so it's critical to detect and treat for them as early as possible. Anyone who suspects a termite introduction should contact a pest management professional immediately.
Property owners can get termites from:
Wooden structures, such as porches and decks, in direct contact with the ground
Stacks of firewood that lean against the house
Damp soil near foundations from leaking faucets, gutters or downspouts
Trees and shrubs in close proximity to the house
Above-ground locations in the house that remain damp enough to support termites without them needing to return to the moist conditions found in the soil
Signs of a termite infestation include:
A temporary swarm of winged insects in your home or from the soil around your home
Any cracked or bubbling paint or frass (termite droppings)
Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
Mud tubes on exterior walls, wooden beams or in crawl spaces
Discarded wings from swarmers
Proactive tips that GONE Pest Management recommends for homeowners:
Check water drainage sites to ensure they remain cleared and effective.
Monitor the collection of moisture by fixing pipes, gutters, downspouts, A/C units and other fixtures susceptible to leaking.
Caulk around utility lines or pipes.
Get rid of rotting wood and debris near the home.
Place screens on outside vents.
Check wooden structures for damage.
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