West Coast City Revealed as Top Termite Area

Los Angeles has the dubious honor of claiming the top spot for the first time in Orkin’s annual list of top termite cities. In last year’s list, the California city was number two.

The list is based on treatment data from the metro areas where Orkin performed the most termite treatments for first-time customers from February 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022. The remaining top 10 cities in this year’s list include:

1. Miami (up one spot from last year’s list)
2. Washington, D.C. (up one spot)
3. Tampa, Florida (down one spot)
4. Chicago (up 18 spots)
5. Atlanta (down on spot)
6. New York (in same spot)
7. Raleigh, North Carolina (up five spots)
8. Dallas (up one spot)
9. Orlando, Florida (down one spot)

There are more than 40 species of termites in the United States. These insects can hide and thrive in buildings or landscaping with no immediate signs of damage, until the problem becomes severe. 

Although termites are active year-round, in the spring they search for a place to begin a new colony. They prefer areas that offer of combination of warmth, moisture, and food (wood). When inspecting your facility for any existing termite-related damage look for:

• A temporary swarm of termites in your facility, in the soil, or around the exterior of the building
• Cracked or bubbling paint
• Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
• Mud tubes on the interior or exterior of walls or wooden beams
• Termite droppings in or near the building.

Orkin recommends that facility managers:

• Regularly check and monitor water drainage areas to ensure they are clear of debris and draining properly
• Monitor other areas where moisture could collect, such as leaky pipes, gutters, downspouts, air conditioning units, and other fixtures susceptible to leaking
• Seal gaps around utility lines, gas lines, and pipes and cover exterior vents with screens to eliminate insect entry points
• Remove any rotting wood and excess landscaping mulch and ensure wooden siding is at least six inches above the ground
• Monitor wooden structures regularly for any signs of damage.