Restricted Area For Bugs

Spring not only brings an increase in temperatures, it's a time for custodial executives to be on the lookout for pest-related activity. Termites are especially troubling at this time of year. To help, Terminix has released its ranking of the top 25 most termite-infested cities in the United States. Termites chewed through states including Texas, Alabama, and California, although infestations spanned from coast to coast.

Termites often flourish in warm, humid environments, and cost more than $5 billion in damage to businesses and homes annually in the United States. Because these pests tend to remain out of sight, they can cause extensive damage before building occupants even realize there is a problem.

Here are the top 25 cities for termite infestations.

1.   Houston
2.   Los Angeles
3.   Mobile, Ala.
4.   San Antonio
5.   San Diego
6.   Dallas
7.   Memphis, Tenn.
8.   Jacksonville, Fla.
9.   Miami
10.  Tampa, Fla.
11.  Phoenix
12.  Orlando, Fla.
13.  Atlanta
14.  Cincinnati
15.  Philadelphia
16.  Sacramento, Calif.
17.  Honolulu
18.  San Jose, Calif.
19.  Baton Rouge, La.
20.  Pittsburgh
21.  Savannah, Ga.
22.  Nashville, Tenn.
23.  Little Rock, Ark.
24.  Tucson, Ariz.
25.  Louisville, Ky.

“In areas that experience damp and humid weather conditions, it’s important to be aware of early warning signs for termites before damage becomes significant,” says Joe Magyar, regional training manager for Terminix.

Depending on the species, termite warning signs could include:
 • Blisters in wood flooring, which look like small cracks or holes
 • Hollowed or damaged wood
 • Evidence of the pests themselves, such as discarded wings
 • Droppings that resemble sawdust or coffee grounds
 • Mud tubes, which look like pencil-sized dirt tunnels, near the base of the structure

For more information and tips from Terminix, click here.