Orkin releases Top 50 Termite Cities list

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Miami, Fla. ranks No. 1 on Orkin’s Top 50 Termite Cities list for the second year in a row, and once again Los Angeles ranks No. 2.

Tampa, Fla., held onto third place, and New York City jumped five spots to claim No. 4 on the list. Washington, D.C., rounds out the Top 5. Four cities are new to this year’s list, including Louisville, Ky., which climbed 34 spots to make this year’s Top 50 cities. 

Orkin has developed this list based on treatment data from the cities where its team performed the most termite treatments. The data was collected from Feb. 1, 2023, to Jan. 31, 2024, and includes both residential and commercial termite control services. 

Check out the full Top 50 Termite Cities:

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

“Termites are known as ‘silent destroyers’ because they can thrive in your home for months or even years before they’re acknowledged,” Glen Ramsey, director of the entomology team at Orkin, said in the news release. “These pests are difficult to detect, which is why it’s important for homeowners to take preventative action. The experts at Orkin are prepared to create a tailored plan for your specific needs.” 

Signs of a termite infestation that pest management professionals (PMPs) can warn customers include: 

• A temporary swarm of winged insects in your home or from the soil around your home 
• Any cracked or bubbling paint or frass (termite droppings) 
• Wood that sounds hollow when tapped 
• Mud tubes on exterior walls, wooden beams or in crawl spaces 

Orkin recommends that PMPs tell customers follow this checklist to prevent termites this spring:  

• Check water drainage sites to ensure they are clear. 
• Limit moisture in the home by fixing pipes, gutters, downspouts, A/C units and other fixtures susceptible to leaking. 
• Close gaps by using caulk around utility lines or pipes. 
• Get rid of rotting wood and debris near the home. 
• Place screens on outside vents. 
• Check wooden structures for damage.