We may bring in revenue from the product available on this page and enter in affiliate programs . memorise More ›
In This Article
From stink bugs to ants and even ladybugs , there ’s no deficit of gadfly that can terrorise and take over your base . Thankfully , some of thebest pest control companiesor DIY methods can help root out unwished visitors and infestations .
termite , however , are in a class of their own . When provide unchecked , they are some of the most destructive pests that can infest a family . They can cause live geomorphological terms to a house , making it uninhabitable and costing the householder thousands of dollars in fixture . In fact , termite damage repair costcan go up to $ 3,000 — or even more . Signs of termitescan be pernicious : click noise behind the wall , window that are arduous to spread out , and hollow - sounding wood around the habitation can potentially go unnoticed until it ’s too late and the home needs extensive repairs .
Getting free of termitesis no easy feat , either . While there are some DIY methods that can work for small dependency , it ’s hard for the median homeowner to know the true extent of an infestation , and not fully addressing the problem only detain inevitable issues .
Photo: istockphoto.com witsawat sananrum
To determine the popularity of termite control , we reviewed how our reader have engaged with our capacity covering this undertaking from March 2022 to March 2024 . We fix “ popularity ” by focusing on topics with a mellow - than - average number of reader , clicks to our vetted and recommended professionals , and even direct bookings made through our links . We also considered external prescribed reports and studies . We usedNational Geographic ’s definition of U.S. regionsin this discipline .
Key Takeaways
Termite Season in the United States
In the United States , there are around 45 species of termite , and each fall into one of three category : subterranean , drywood , or dampwood termites . fit in toOrkin , subterranean white ant are responsible for for the majority of damage to anatomical structure .
white ant expand in hot and humid environments . In the United States , that means they are the most predominant in the South — states like Florida , Texas , Alabama , and Georgia . Southern California is also no stranger to termite swarms . In a 2024 theme , Orkin make Miami , Florida ; Los Angeles , California ; and Tampa , Florida , as the top three most termite - overrun cities based on its datum .
Termites live in colonies , and when they are quick to pair and form newfangled colonies in the spring and summer months , they swarm . Swarming happen when the worm leave the colony and essay novel orbit to cuddle — and this is how termite travel and invade place . Swarming time of year also prompts them to seek open air and take flight , making it the time when most people will see termites outside their burrows and tunnel .
Photo: istockphoto.com Wachira Wacharapathom
Termites on the Move
The 2024 white ant season , which began in belated February into March in some places , is show signs of a chemise from previous years .
Already in the first weeks of the season , there was some concerning news around termites . Pest Control Technology reportedon the first recording of Asian ulterior termites in California , andInsurance Journal declaredthat subterranean termites have created a “ new normal ” in Florida due to how far-flung their damage has become .
These tidings reports are highlighting a worrying phenomenon : Termites are on the move or becoming more destructive in areas where they already be . Orkin ’s 2024 report shows this in the way different cities moved up and down its list . New York , for example , reach the numeral four spot on the tilt , prove five lieu from the class prior . Philadelphia jumped a thumping 10 spots , issue forth in sixth position on the list .
Photo: istockphoto.com Tevarak
What ’s perhaps more apprisal is which metropolis were newfangled to the list : Louisville , Kentucky ; Oklahoma City , Oklahoma ; Roanoke , Virginia ; and Waco , Texas . These cities are located in “ moderate to heavy ” danger areas for white ant , according totermite plague probability zone ( TIP zona ) maps . TIP zone were created by theU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developmentto determine property necessary and regulation for homes in areas at endangerment of being impacted by termites . Seeing these city new to the list beg the question : Are these areas actuallymoreat risk of infection for termite infestations than they were even just a year ago ? Do these areas now have a “ very impenetrable ” risk of termite infestation , rather of a “ moderate to threatening ” risk ?
BobVila.com readers have had their own conflict with termites . inquiry for pest control specifically for white ant come up 16.3 percentage in 2023 ( compared with the requirement in 2022).Whorequested termite control also shifted ever so somewhat . reader in the Northeast sought to hire pro for pest control at a similar pace as for 2022 , but more inquiries were made earlier in the 2023 white ant season . Readers in the Midwest experienced more termite matter in 2023 than they did in 2022 , with inquiries for termite control more than triple .
Climate Change: An Advantage for Termites
Why is the termite problem getting worse in some places , ebbing in others , and cropping up more of late in some areas ?
Part of the answer is simple : travel . Travel is suspected to have convey about the arrival of the Asian subterraneous termites in California . The boat the species was find on had allegedly traveled in international waters around Central and South America — and the termites hitch a ride back to California . Pest Control Technology interviewed Dr. Chow - Yang Lee ofUC Riversidefor its above - referenced article , who is cited as stating that while it ’s unconvincing that this particular coinage of termite will be dominant in California , it does risk finally establishing colony in Southern California around the coastal area . While there ’s no telling what will happen , it would n’t be the first time a non - native species of pestilence was introduced to the United States via change of location .
Another part of the answer is a little more complex . Climate modification is involve everything from average temperatures to rainfall amounts to humidity storey . It ’s also make many animal to flourish their territories ( the armadillo is an exampleof this phenomenon ) . white ant are no exclusion . Because they flourish in hot and humid weather condition and spheric warming is , by definition , the thaw of the planet , white ant are find — and will continue to find — novel environments . Places that were antecedently too cold for termites are becoming tolerable . Regions that saw termite activity during the summertime months are probable to go seeing that activity start originally in the year .
But that ’s not the only direction white ant thrive with climate change . According to astudy published in Science , termites in reality eat deadwood quicker in warmer temperature . AndPhys.orgclaims that termite territories could amplify by as much as 30 percent of their current range . As their current environment warms , termite are causing more damage more quickly , and their population size is originate as a result .
Climate change does risk reducing their activity in some area . BobVila.com reviewer in states locate in the Southwest and in the Southeast experienced average or humbled - than - mean termite swarming . loosely speak , there appeared to be a slight decrease in activeness in places where termite activity is typically gamey . Even termite exterminators in those areas were disappointed by the 2023 season , harmonize to the2024 State Department of the Termite Control Market Report . They cited drouth in some states and areas , such as Mississippi , as the culprit behind lower demand for termite dominance services .
While climate change seems to be fueling termite activity and swarming , termite are actually contributing to climate change , too . According to anarticle in PNAS(Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ) , termite in reality develop 1 to 3 percentage of globose methane ( CH4 ) emissions . termite might be small , but conjointly they have — and will continue to have — an shock on our surroundings .
Tiny Travelers, Big Trouble
So where are these termite swarms head ? While it ’s hard to tellexactlywhere they ’ll instal roots , it ’s safe to assume that any neighborhood that is experiencing warmer weather earlier in the leap calendar month is at peril . The areas TIP zone maps identify as at “ heavy to moderate risk ” for termites might be considered to be “ heavy risk ” areas in the near time to come . Based on BobVila.com information , the Midwest might be the next termite hot zone .
Wherever termites end up , they ’ll wreak havoc on homes . Their activity has a Antoine Domino event on homeowners even when they ’re not infesting a home . One issue of high termite activity in Florida , for example , has been the threat to the urban canopy ( via theSun Sentinel ) . Unchecked , termites can destroy hundred of trees in very minuscule time . When the worm banquet on the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , the trees become watery , making them a hazard in the upshot of a hurricane .
researcher and scientists are seek to combat the termite government issue . TheUniversity of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences ( UF / IFAS)even released an interactive mapping that homeowners and abode buyers can habituate to evaluate their risk of a termite infestation . The map shows where specimen have been collected at some point in time .
According to theNational Pest Management Association , termites cause ( both directly and indirectly ) billions of dollars in harm to homes every year , making them tiny harbingers of real estate tough luck .
Terminating Termites
Homeowners dish out with an existing white ant trouble or who suspect termites in the plate may need to play it safe and pay thecost of a termite review — it ’s well worth it if it imply protecting a worthful investment . at last , choosing the DIY route may be bad . It ’s best , in most cases , to find one of thebest termite ascendency companiesto take fear of the problem . Terminix , for example , is a reputable and top - recommended company that specializes in termite infestation , and it has branches all over the United States .
There are several key step tofinding the right termite control party . finally , householder will need to be sure that the business they hire is positive in its ability to eradicate the problem and can offer guarantee on its work . Investing in preventive measures can also go a retentive means . Finding ways to divert moisture from the home , keeping firewood store aside from the home , and engage a pest control company that uses product to protect the home ’s social organisation can assist keep a rest home safe from tiny yet destructive pests .
Everything You Need for a Lush and Healthy Lawn
keep your grass green and your plants flourish does n’t just take a green thumb — it starts with the correct puppet and supplies .
