Worst States for Termite Damage
Termites are highly destructive creatures, causing over $5 billion worth of damage every year in the United States. Of course, some states are more affected than others. What are the worst States for termite damage, and how does California rank?
The State with the biggest termite problem is sunny Florida. There are six species of tiny termites that are causing huge problems in the sunshine State. Two of the worst are invasive Asian subterranean termites, which live mostly in the southern part of the state, and Formosan subterranean termites, which live throughout the southeast. There’s been a dramatic increase in termite damage due to these species, endangering all structures within a 500-meter radius of an infestation. Half of all homes in southern Florida will be at risk within twenty years according to University of Florida researchers. The worst cities in Florida for termite infestations are Miami, Tampa, and Orlando — all in the top ten.
In fact, the whole southeast is a huge termite trouble area, containing the six worst-ranked States for termite damage. In order, they are Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. The next worst State is nearby Texas, especially on its gulf coast. Why is the South such a great place for termite colonies? Two words: heat and humidity. The only State without termites is Alaska. Dry
States tend to have moderate issues with termites.
Unfortunately for us, the next State on the list of termite havens is our own state of California. The worst California cities for termite damage are Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area — all in the top fifteen. The northernmost tip of the State has a high termite risk, but most of California has enough heat and humidity to be considered very high risk, and high elevation does not make your home safe. We harbor every several different types of termites — subterranean, drywood, and dampwood. The most pervasive problem for homeowners is subterranean termites. Reticulitermes, the most common subterranean termites, are found in nearly all regions of the state. They’re also the most destructive, despite being fairly tiny compared to dampwood and drywood termites. Mature colonies of Reticulitermes can contain hundreds of millions of termites.
It’s worth noting that not all of these species are bad for you or the State. Some termites serve a useful purpose in forests and woodlands, breaking down dead wood and other natural materials. (They rarely hurt living trees.) This returns nutrients to the soil. Their tunnels also help to aerate the soil. Termites are also a nutritious meal for many species of mammals. But of course, they’re a huge danger to all wooden buildings and furniture as well as infrastructures such as wooden road borders and signs.
If not quickly dealt with, a termite infestation can cause serious damage to a home aesthetically as well as foundationally. A professional service is required for successful termite treatment in California, as effective, professional strength termite control products aren’t available in the State for homeowners. Due to pesticide regulations, only professionals are authorized to use them.
In case you’re curious, here is the full ranking of worst termite States:
- Florida
- Georgia
- South Carolina
- Alabama
- Mississippi
- Louisiana
- Texas
- California
- Arkansas
- North Carolina
And here is the ranking of worst cities for termite damage:
- Los Angeles CA
- Miami FL
- Washington DC
- Tampa FL
- Chicago IL
- Atlanta GA
- New York NY
- Raleigh NC
- Dallas TX
- Orlando FL
- San Diego CA
- Norfolk VA
- Houston TX
- Richmond VA
- San Francisco CA
- West Palm Beach FL
- Philadelphia PA
- Nashville TN
- Baltimore MD
- Charlotte NC
- Cincinnati OH
- New Orleans LA
- Indianapolis IN
- Greenville SC
- Phoenix AZ
- Pittsburgh PA
- Knoxville VA
- Kansas City MO
- Savannah GA
- St. Louis MO
- Louisville KY
- Columbia SC
- Austin TX
- Charleston SC
- Lafayette LA
- Ft. Myers (-4)
- San Antonio TX
- Grand Rapids MI
- Mobile AL
- Boston MA
- Waco TX
- Tulsa OK
- Columbus OH
- Jacksonville FL
- Charleston SC
- Chattanooga TN
- Honolulu HI
- Wichita KS
- Oklahoma City OK
- Denver CO
If you’re looking for a reliable termite company in the Bay Area, look no further than MightyMite. At MightyMite Termite Services, we’ve earned a reputation as experts in California termite control. We perform termite inspections to ensure that your home is free of termites and work hard to help you keep it that way, using treatments that are naturally derived and have a low impact on the environment. We diagnose and treat infestations with the most effective methods and unmatched warranties, solving your termite problems the first time, with an industry-best “no call-back rate.” That, combined with our experience, technology, and highly trained professional staff, makes us the leading extermination company in the Bay Area. We understand that your home is your most important investment, so we work hard to provide excellent service, utilizing best practices to solve our customers’ termite problems in Northern California. For more information, call us today at 408.335.7053, email Info@mightymitetermite.com, or contact us through our website.