Be Extra Vigilant About Termites If You Live In Certain US Cities
You've probably heard that New York is "the city that never sleeps." But have you ever heard about the pest that never sleeps? It's true, termites are always awake, giving them ample time to eat through a wooden structure and destroy a home.
There are a few signs that will clue you into the presence of this pest in or around your house. The first is if you notice a swarm of winged bugs or a few separated wings inside your home or in the soil around your house. They may cause paint to crack or bubble and hollow out any wood pieces. Termites use pathways called mud tubes to travel from the ground to their food sources, which may be on exterior walls or in crawl spaces. Some homeowners notice a moldy smell or things that seem like water damage, which can also be indicators of termites. While everyone should check for these signs, if you live in any of the cities below, you should take extra care to look for these indicators.
Top US cities with termites
The Top 50 Most Termite-Infested Cities List by Orkin is created by collecting data about how many termite treatments the company has performed on both homes and businesses. Their most recent list comprises data from February 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023.
While the top city last year was Los Angeles, this city has since moved to the second spot, and Miami has taken the lead for the most termite treatments. After these two cities comes Tampa, Washington D.C., Raleigh, Atlanta, Norfolk, San Francisco, New York, and Orlando — these are the top 10 on the list, in this order. If you live in one of these cities, you should immediately check for signs of these pests. While termites burrow underground during cold weather in the winter, you should especially check for signs of them in the spring because they enjoy warm weather and often start looking for food and warmth during this time, which they may find in your house.
How to stay vigilant against termites
If you discover any signs that you believe are termites, call a professional immediately and get your home treated. Because these pests never sleep, they can cause extreme damage in a short amount of time.
You can also do a few other things to decrease the chances of termites causing damage to your home. It's important to keep shrubs, trees, and stacked wood at least a few feet away from your house. You should also remove any rotting or dead wood from your yard, as this will attract them. Further, ensure your soil has proper drainage, as moisture will entice them. Instead of mulch, it's best to cover your soil with gravel or decorative rocks. You could also grow marigolds, mint, catnip, or vetivergrass in your yard to keep termites away. Finally, sealing cracks in walls and ceilings and ensuring every room is dry will keep these pests out of your home.