According to pest control company Orkin’s latest list of the Top 50 Termite Towns, Chicago was a newly minted member of the top 5, making the biggest jump of the year from 23rd to fifth on the list.
The list is based on treatment data from the metropolitan areas where Orkin performed the most initial termite treatments on customers from February 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022. The ranking includes both domestic and commercial treatments, Orkin explained in a press release.
In addition to fifth place in Chicago, St. Louis rose three places from the 2021 repeat of the list to No. 30. Kansas City even stayed at No. 28.
An ideal environment for termites involves a combination of warmth, moisture and food, Orkin explained, with termites constantly seeking out sources of wood, including residential properties and beyond.
Spring kicks off with termite season, Orkin says, so it’s important to take precautions to protect homes from so-called “silent destroyers.”
“Termites can hide in your home for years, stealthily damaging your home without ever being noticed,” Glen Ramsey, Orkin’s entomologist, said in a statement. “Some types of termite queens lay millions of eggs each year, which hatch and grow into wood-eating machines that will ravage your home’s foundation and cause great damage. Therefore, it is important to take preventive measures that protect your home.”
Homeowners can get termites in a variety of ways, including wooden structures like porches and decks that touch the ground directly, firewood leaning against the home, soil that stays wet for long periods, from leaking faucets or water retention areas near foundations, and dead trees or other landscaping near the house.
Signs of a termite infestation are:
- A temporary swarm of termites in your home, in the ground or on the outside of the home
- Cracked or bubbly paint
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
- Mud hoses on the inside or outside of walls or wooden beams
- Sighting of drywood termite damage (termite droppings) in or near the home
For termite prevention, Orkin recommends homeowners:
- Check and monitor water drainage areas regularly to ensure they are free of debris and draining properly.
- Monitor any possible areas where moisture could collect, such as: B. Leaky pipes, gutters, downspouts, air conditioners and other equipment prone to leaks.
- Seal gaps around utility lines, gas lines and pipes and cover exterior vents with screens to prevent points of entry.
- Reduce food sources by removing rotting wood or debris, removing excess landscaping mulch, and making sure the wood trim is at least 6 inches off the ground.
- Check wooden structures regularly for signs of damage.
If a termite infestation is suspected, a pest control professional should be contacted immediately for an assessment, Orkin said.
