Orkin names Top 50 termite cities of 2021

PHOTO: ISTOCK.COM/TOMMYIX

Los Angeles, Calif., claims the top spot for the first time on this year’s Top 50 Termite Cities list by Orkin.

Previously, Miami, Fla., was the historic frontrunner and has fallen to second place, according to a news release. Washington D.C.; Tampa, Fla.; and Chicago, Ill., round up the top five spots.

Both Chicago and Raleigh, N.C., are newcomers to the Top 10, with Chicago making the biggest jump from No. 23 to No. 5 on this year’s list.

The list is based on treatment data from metro areas where Orkin performed the most first-time customer termite treatments from Feb. 1, 2021 to Jan. 31, 2022. The rankings include both residential and commercial treatments.

Check out the full list of Top 50 cities:

1. Los Angeles, Calif. (+1)
2. Miami, Fla. (1)
3. Washington, DC (+1)
4. Tampa, Fla. (-1)
5. Chicago, Ill. (+18)
6. Atlanta, Ga. (-1)
7. New York City, New York
8. Raleigh, N.C. (+5)
9. Dallas, Texas (+1)
10. Orlando, Fla. (-1)
11. San Diego, Calif. (+1)
12. Norfolk, Va. (+12)
13. Houston, Texas (+1)
14. Richmond, Va. (+17)
15. San Francisco, Calif. (-4)
16. West Palm Beach, Fla. (-10)
17. Philadelphia, Pa.
18. Nashville, Tenn. (+3)
19. Baltimore, Md. (-4)
20. Charlotte, N.C.(-2)
21. Cincinnati, Ohio (+1)
22. New Orleans, La. (-14)
23. Indianapolis, Ind. (-4)
24. Greenville, S.C. (-4)
25. Phoenix, Ariz. (-9)
26. Pittsburgh , Pa. (-1)
27. Knoxville, Tenn. (-1)
28. Kansas City, Ks.
29. Savannah, Ga.
30. St. Louis, Mo. (+3)
31. Louisville, Ky. (+13)
32. Columbia, S.C. (-2)
33. Austin, Texas (+14)
34. Charleston, S.C. (-7)
35. Lafayette, La. (+2)
36. Ft. Myers, Fla. (-4)
37. San Antonio, Texas (+4)
38. Grand Rapids, Mich. (+7)
39. Mobile, Ala. (-5)
40. Boston, Mass. (+2)
41. Waco, Texas (-1)
42. Tulsa, Okla. (-4)
43. Columbus, Ohio (+5)
44. Jacksonville, Fla. (-8)
45. Charleston, S.C. (+4)
46. Chattanooga, Tenn. (-3)
47. Honolulu, Hawaii (-8)
48. Wichita, Ka. (-2)
49. Oklahoma City, Okla. (-14)
50. Denver, Colo.

Tips Orkin recommends pest management professionals provide to customers include:

• Regularly check and monitor water drainage areas to ensure they are clear of debris and draining properly.
• Monitor any possible areas where moisture could collect, such as leaky pipes, gutters, downspouts, air conditioning units and other fixtures susceptible to leaking.
• Seal gaps around utility lines, gas lines and pipes and cover exterior vents with screens to help eliminate entry points.
• Reduce food sources by removing any rotting wood or debris, removing excess landscaping mulch and ensuring wooden siding is at least six inches above the ground.
• Monitor wooden structures regularly for any signs of damage.

Are you surprised by some of the cities that made the Top 50? Let us know in the comments below or email us at pmpeditor@northcoastmedia.net.