Contributed by Orkin
There seems to be a changing of the guard as the City of Angels has apparently become the City of… termites?
Leading pest control agency Orkin announces that for the first time Los Angeles has ranked number one in this year’s list of the Top 50 Termite Towns, released this week. Miami, the historical leader, has dropped to second place while Washington DC, Tampa and Chicago round out the top five. Both Chicago and Raleigh are newcomers to the top 10, with Chicago making the biggest jump from 23rd to 5th on this year’s list.
The list is based on treatment data from the metro areas where Orkin performed the most initial termite treatments on customers from February 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022. The ranking includes both inpatient and commercial treatments
1.Los Angeles (+1)
2. Miami (1)
3. Washington, D.C. (+1)
4.Tampa (-1)
5.Chicago (+18)
6 Atlanta (-1)
7. New York
8.Raleigh (+5)
9 Dallas (+1)
10. Orlando (-1)
11.San Diego (+1)
12.Norfolk (+12)
13 Houston (+1)
14. Richmond, Va. (+17)
15. San Francisco (-4)
16. West Palm Beach (-10)
17.Philadelphia
18. Nashville (+3)
19 Baltimore (-4)
20. Charlotte (-2)
21 Cincinnati (+1)
22. New Orleans (-14)
23. Indianapolis (-4)
24. Greenville (-4)
25. Phoenix (-9)
26 Pittsburgh (-1)
27. Knoxville (-1)
28. Kansas City
29. Savannah
30. St.Louis (+3)
31.Louisville (+13)
32. Columbia, South Carolina (-2)
33 Austin (+14)
34. Charleston, SC (-7)
35. Lafayette, Louisiana (+2)
36. ft. Mine (-4)
37. Saint Anthony (+4)
38. Great Rapids (+7)
39. Mobile, Alabama (-5)
40.Boston (+2)
41. Wako (-1)
42. Tulsa (-4)
43. Columbus, OH (+5)
44. Jacksonville (-8)
45. Charleston, SC (+4)
46. Chattanooga (-3)
47. Honolulu (-8)
48. Wichita (-2)
49. Oklahoma City (-14)
50. Denver
With spring and termite season in full swing, it’s important to take the necessary steps to protect facilities from these “silent destroyers.” An ideal environment for termites is a combination of warmth, moisture, and food. Termites are constantly seeking sources of wood, including residential properties and beyond.
Facilities can get termites from wooden structures (like porches and decks) that are in direct contact with the ground; firewood leaning against the house; soil that remains wet for long periods of time due to leaky faucets; or water retention areas near foundations and dead trees or other landscaping near facilities. Signs of a termite infestation are:
- Cracked or bubbly paint
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
- Mud hoses on the inside or outside of walls or wooden beams
- Sightings of drywood termite damage (termite droppings) on or near the property
Proactive termite prevention tips recommended by Orkin for facility managers:
- 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 ensuring wood trim is at least 6 inches off the ground. Regularly monitor wooden structures for signs of damage.
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