Termites can cause much angst for homeowners, and two national pest control companies recently offered differing views on how much Jacksonville area homeowners should worry.
Terminix ranked Jacksonville 15th in its list of the 50 most termite-infested metropolitan areas in the U.S., while Orkin ranked Jacksonville much lower, at 38th.
Terminix ranked cities based on termite treatments per household in 2018. Orkin’s list is based on both residential and commercial treatments from February 2018 through January 2019.
The companies said favorable weather brings more termites, with coastal and southern cities most at risk.
Mobile, Alabama, topped Terminix’s list while Miami ranked first on Orkin’s list.
“With warm spring weather just around the corner, those living in areas that experience damp and humid conditions are more susceptible to the impact of termites and should be mindful of early infestation warning signs,” Terminix Residential President Matthew Stevenson said in a news release.
“Most species of subterranean termites swarm in the spring and summer, a time frame when homeowners are more likely to notice signs of an infestation,” Orkin said in a news release.
“Drywood termites typically swarm during the late summer or fall months, from August through November,” it said.