Miami Holds Number One Spot on Orkin's Third Annual Top Termite Cities List

Washington, DC moves into top five and three new cities join the list

ATLANTA (March 22, 2021) – Miami is hot for termites. The Magic City remains at the top of this year’s Top 50 Termite Cities List, released today by Orkin. The leading three cities on the list, Miami, Los Angeles and Tampa, have held these spots for three years strong. After a two-year run at number four, New York fell three spots and was replaced by Washington, DC – a newcomer to the top of the list.

Columbia, SC made the largest leap this year, moving up eight spots from 2020. Waco, Wichita and Austin are all new to the list this year, holding spots 40, 46 and 47, respectively.

With people spending more time at home in 2020, termites and termite damage were likely observed more frequently than in previous years. Parallel to this, 2020 held a record-breaking number of storms and hurricanes offering what termites need most in life – moisture.

The list is based on treatment data from the metro areas where Orkin performed the most first-time customer termite treatments from February 1, 2020 – January 31, 2021. The ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments.

1. Miami

2. Los Angeles

3. Tampa

4. Washington, DC (+2)

5. Atlanta

6. West Palm Beach (+1)

7. New York (-3)

8. New Orleans (+1)

9. Orlando (+1)

10. Dallas (+2)

11. San Francisco (-3)

12. San Diego (-1)

13. Raleigh

14. Houston (+1)

15. Baltimore (+1)

16. Phoenix (-2)

17. Philadelphia (+2)

18. Charlotte

19. Indianapolis (+5)

20. Greenville, NC (+6)

21. Nashville (-4)

22. Cincinnati

23. Chicago (-3)

24. Norfolk (+1)

25. Pittsburgh (+4)

26. Knoxville (+1)

27. Charleston, WV (+1)

28. Kansas City (+4)

29. Savannah (+1)

30. Columbia, SC (+8)

31. Richmond, VA

32. Fort Myers, FL (-11)

33. St. Louis (+4)

34. Mobile, AL (-11)

35. Oklahoma City (-1)

36. Jacksonville (+7)

37. Lafayette, LA (+4)

38. Tulsa (-3)

39. Honolulu (-6)

40. Waco (new to list)

41. San Antonio (-2)

42. Boston (-6)

43. Chattanooga (-3)

44. Louisville (+2)

45. Grand Rapids (+3)

46. Wichita (new to list)

47. Austin (new to list)

48. Columbus, OH (+2)

49. Charleston, SC (-5)

50. Denver (-5)

“Weather conditions directly impact termite swarms,” said Glen Ramsey, Orkin entomologist. “Most subterranean termites swarm in the spring and summer, while drywood termites typically swarm in the late summer and fall.”

Termite infestations are a threat to all areas of the U.S., though pressures from subterranean termites may vary. The Pacific Coast and coastal regions of the Southeast also face the additional threat of drywood termites. 

“Termites swarm when they are looking for moisture and food, and with fewer dead trees to invade in urban areas, termites will move to residential areas for food and moisture,” said Ramsey. 

Property owners can get termites from wooden structures, such as porches and decks, directly touching the ground; firewood leaning against the house; soil that stays damp long-term from leaking faucets or water retention areas near foundation and dead trees or other landscaping near the house. Signs of a termite infestation include:

• A temporary swarm of termites in your home, in the soil or around the exterior of the house

• Cracked or bubbling paint

• Wood that sounds hollow when tapped

• Mud tubes on the interior or exterior of walls or wooden beams

• Discarded wings from swarmers

•  Sightings of frass (termite droppings) in or near the house

To proactively avoid termites, Orkin recommends that homeowners regularly monitor water drainage sites to ensure they are properly draining, paying extra attention to areas around the foundation and on the roof. Additionally, seal gaps around utility lines, gas lines and pipes and cover exterior vents with screens to help reduce entry points. Lastly, reduce termite food sources by removing any rotting wood, debris or landscaping near the house.

Celebrating a milestone anniversary this year, Orkin is proud to have achieved 120 years of business, an accomplishment that can be attributed to the company’s ongoing commitment to excellent service. With well over a century of knowledge and experience with termites and state-of-the-art tools and products, Orkin is well-equipped to assess your termite problem and mount a strategic response to rid your home of the pest and provide maximum protection.

If a termite introduction is suspected, a pest management professional should be contacted immediately for an assessment. For more information about termite prevention and detection, visit Orkin.com. 

About Orkin, LLC

Founded in 1901, Atlanta-based Orkin is an industry leader in essential pest control services and protection against termite damage, rodents and insects. Proudly celebrating 120years of business this year, the company is committed to excellent service and operates more than 400 locations with more than 8,000 employees. Through Orkin’s Points of Service process – Investigate, Protect, Fortify, Keep Watch, Report and Follow Up – Orkin provides customized services to approximately 1.7 million homeowners and businesses in the United States and has nearly 100 international locations in more than 65 countries. Orkin is committed to studying pest biology and applying scientifically proven methods. The company collaborates with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and eight major universities to conduct research and help educate consumers and businesses on pest-related health threats. Learn more about Orkin at Orkin.com. Orkin is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rollins Inc. (NYSE: ROL). Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.