Are termites lingering on your profile or swiping left?

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Published Date 3/24/2023

We all want to be loved. But as homeowners, we would rather be overlooked by one entity. His name is termite, and if you live in places like Miami, Tampa, or Los Angeles, you are on his wishlist and may already have him showing his love.

Realtor.com’s Kathleen Willcox reports on cities that earned the dubious honor of being on Orkin’s Top 50 Termite Cities list. Miami was in the lead for a while, but LA picked up speed. Now it has fallen back to No. 2, with Tampa, FL, nibbling at its timbers at No. 3. The ranking is based on metropolitan areas (cities and their surrounding towns) where Orkin performed the most first-time termite treatments between February 2022 and January 2023.

Other cities that get top termite billing include Washington, D.C., Raleigh, Atlanta, Norfolk, San Francisco, New York and Orlando. “Termites are more than simply repellent insects invading your space,” explains Willcox. “Every year, termites cause billions of dollars in damage, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Property owners spend more than $2 billion annually fixing the damage they cause and ousting them from their residences. What’s worse? Most insurance plans don’t cover the damage.” Willcox offers insight into how homeowners can sniff out a potential termite issue, how to prevent an infestation, and what to do if you are selected as a love object.

If you’d rather have termites not swipe right to find out more about you when they come across your profile, first understand that they are drawn to sources of cellulose, which makes wood inside of homes look particularly tasty. “These menaces range in size from a 16th of an inch to about 1 inch long. The most common species in the U.S. is the native subterranean termite,” says Willcox, who admits that there are definitely times when termite problems are easy to pinpoint. “Subterranean termites build mud tunnels from the ground up into the wood they want to snack on, and they can be spotted along the foundation of a home. Drywood termites produce holes in the wood they’re munching on, kicking out a pile of pellets through the hole as they go.”

Orkin’s Glen Ramsey says, “Keep an eye out for small, pinpoint holes in drywall with what looks like dirt around them. “You may also see mounds of drywood termite pellets, which often resemble piles of small seeds, or piles of wings left behind after fly swarms around windows.” Subtler signs include warped flooring, rippled paint, and hollow-sounding wood—all signs of elaborate termite feasts.

Termites like the real thing. Wood. They are attracted to wooden porches and decks that directly touch the ground as well as moisture from leaky pipes, improper drainage, and poor airflow. Knowing that, (1) you can now get rid of rotting firewood and other debris near the house, (2) make sure the soil around your home’s foundation stays dry through proper grading and drainage, (3) be sure to maintain your gutters and downspouts to prevent moisture collection and leaks, (4) reduce or eliminate openings that offer hearts and flowers to termites (like cracks in your cement foundation) and (5) fix leaks as soon as you see them. Placing screens on outside vents so termites can’t enter is also a good move.

Already got these little lovers onboard? Willcox and Ramsey agree that this is not the time to panic or show how terribly unattracted you are to them. They are slow movers. Left unchecked, however, and these tiny critters can literally blow your house down. “Termites won’t eat your house overnight; in fact, it would take five months for 60,000 termites to eat one foot of a 2x4 piece of lumber. Just make a note of what you see, call pest control, and hang tight. Professional termite service companies can send out inspectors who will give you specific recommendations for your structure.”

Realtor, TBWS

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