Ever thought about whether your home might be at risk for termite damage? With shifting climate conditions and aging homes, some states have become prime spots for these irritating pests. In fact, over 2 billion dollars is spent repairing termite damage each year!
Luckily, knowing where termites are most likely to thrive can help protect your property. So, in this post, we’ll dive into the states most (and least) prone to termite activity, looking at factors like temperature, rainfall, home age, and more.
Key Takeaways
- Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and others, are at high risk for termites due to warm weather, good soil, and older homes filled with old wood.
- Alaska, Nevada, Arizona, North Dakota, and Wyoming are at low risk because of cold weather, low rainfall, and poor soil.
- Climate change could increase termite problems in states like Arizona and California. Homeowners should be prepared.
The Top 10 States for Termite Damage
1. Florida
Termite Damage Risk: High
- Current Avg Temp: 70.7°F
- Precipitation: 54.5 inches
- Old Homes (%): 2.0%
- Soil Composition: Clay, Loamy, Sandy
- Future Temp: 75°F
Florida faces a high risk for termite damage due to its warm climate. With an average temperature of 70.7°F and high annual precipitation of 54.5 inches, these conditions create a humid environment perfect for termite activity.
With future temperatures expected to rise to 75°F between 2040 and 2059, the risk could increase further.
2. Louisiana
Termite Damage Risk: High
- Current Avg Temp: 66.4°F
- Precipitation: 60.1 inches
- Old Homes (%): 6.3%
- Soil Composition: Clay, Loamy, Sandy
- Future Temp: 71°F
Louisiana faces a significant risk of termite damage. The heavy rainfall—60.1 inches annually—creates ideal conditions for termites to thrive.
Coupled with warm temperatures averaging 66.4°F, it’s a perfect storm for termite activity. Plus, as temperatures are expected to rise to 71°F between 2040 and 2059, the situation could worsen. Homeowners in Louisiana should prioritize regular termite inspections and proactive treatments to protect their homes.
3. Mississippi
Termite Damage Risk: High
- Current Avg Temp: 63.4°F
- Precipitation: 59.0 inches
- Old Homes (%): 4.8%
- Soil Composition: Clay, Loamy, Sandy
- Future Temp: 68°F
Mississippi’s high termite risk is driven by its substantial rainfall, which averages 59 inches annually. This, combined with warm temperatures around 63.4°F, creates perfect termite conditions.
Additionally, 4.8% of homes are older wood constructions, making them especially susceptible to termite damage.
4. Alabama
Termite Damage Risk: High
- Current Avg Temp: 62.8°F
- Precipitation: 58.3 inches
- Old Homes (%): 5.1%
- Soil Composition: Clay, Loamy, Sandy
- Future Temp: 67°F
Alabama’s high termite risk is significantly influenced by its older homes, which make up 5.1% of the state’s housing. These structures, with their aged wood, are prime targets for termites.
Coupled with warm temperatures averaging 62.8°F and 58.3 inches of annual rainfall, Alabama provides an inviting environment for termites to thrive.
5. Georgia
Termite Damage Risk: High
- Current Avg Temp: 63.5°F
- Precipitation: 50.7 inches
- Old Homes (%): 4.1%
- Soil Composition: Clay, Loamy, Sandy
- Future Temp: 66°F
Georgia is highly susceptible to termite damage. The standout factor here is the state’s warm climate, with an average temperature of 63.5°F.
This warmth, combined with 50.7 inches of annual rainfall, creates perfect conditions for termite activity. Additionally, 4.1% of homes are older constructions, making them extra vulnerable.
6. Texas
Termite Damage Risk: High
- Current Avg Temp: 64.8°F
- Precipitation: 28.9 inches
- Old Homes (%): 3.4%
- Soil Composition: Clay, Loamy, Sandy
- Future Temp: 72°F
Texas faces a serious termite threat due to its consistently warm climate, with average temperatures of 64.8°F. Although the state receives only 28.9 inches of rainfall annually, this is sufficient to create favorable conditions for termite activity.
Combined with its fearful termite season, Texas has its hands full due to these pesky critters.
7. South Carolina
Termite Damage Risk: High
- Current Avg Temp: 62.4°F
- Precipitation: 49.8 inches
- Old Homes (%): 3.9%
- Soil Composition: Clay, Loamy, Sandy
- Future Temp: 67°F
South Carolina’s termite risk is heightened by its diverse soil composition, which includes clay, loamy, and sandy soils—perfect for supporting termite colonies.
Coupled with an average temperature of 62.4°F and annual rainfall of 49.8 inches, the state provides ideal conditions for termite activity.
8. North Carolina
Termite Damage Risk: High
- Current Avg Temp: 59.0°F
- Precipitation: 50.3 inches
- Old Homes (%): 5.0%
- Soil Composition: Clay, Loamy, Sandy
- Future Temp: 64°F
North Carolina’s termite risk is significantly influenced by the presence of older homes, which make up 5.0% of the state’s housing.
These older structures are particularly vulnerable due to decaying wood and outdated construction methods, which provide a source of termite food.
Combined with an average temperature of 59.0°F and 50.3 inches of annual rainfall, North Carolina provides a conducive environment for termite activity.
9. Tennessee
Termite Damage Risk: High
- Current Avg Temp: 57.6°F
- Precipitation: 54.2 inches
- Old Homes (%): 5.6%
- Soil Composition: Clay, Loamy, Sandy
- Future Temp: 63°F
Tennessee’s termite risk is considerable, similar to North Carolina, due to its high percentage of older homes, which make up 5.6% of the state’s housing. These structures are more susceptible to termite damage because of aged construction materials.
Combined with an average temperature of 57.6°F and annual rainfall of 54.2 inches, Tennessee also provides ideal conditions for termite activity.
10. Arkansas
Termite Damage Risk: High
- Current Avg Temp: 60.4°F
- Precipitation: 50.6 inches
- Old Homes (%): 4.7%
- Soil Composition: Clay, Loamy, Sandy
- Future Temp: 65°F
Arkansas faces a high risk of termite damage, significantly influenced by its soil composition. The state’s clay, loamy, and sandy soils are ideal for termite colonies. Coupled with an average temperature of 60.4°F and annual rainfall of 50.6 inches,
Arkansas is prime real estate for these hungry pests. With temperatures expected to rise to 65°F between 2040 and 2059, termite activity could increase further.
The 5 States Least Vulnerable to Termites
If you want to be sure your home won’t be bothered by termites,
1. Alaska
Termite Damage Risk: Low
- Current Avg Temp: 26.6°F
- Precipitation: 22.5 inches
- Old Homes (%): 1.7%
- Soil Composition: Various, including permafrost
- Future Temp: 37°F
Alaska has a low risk of termite damage due to its frigid climate, with an average temperature of just 26.6°F. The cold environment and low precipitation (22.5 inches annually) are inhospitable to termites.
Additionally, frozen soil (permafrost) further prevents termite activity. Even with future temperatures rising to 37°F, the risk remains minimal.
2. Nevada
Termite Damage Risk: Low
- Current Avg Temp: 49.9°F
- Precipitation: 9.5 inches
- Old Homes (%): 1.1%
- Soil Composition: Sandy, dry, infertile
- Future Temp: 66°F
Nevada has a low risk of termite damage due to its minimal annual precipitation of just 9.5 inches. The dry climate and sandy, dry soils are unfavorable for termites.
Additionally, only 1.1% of homes are older. As temperatures rise to 66°F in the future, termite infestations are still expected to remain minimal.
3. Arizona
Termite Damage Risk: Low
- Current Avg Temp: 60.3°F
- Precipitation: 13.6 inches
- Old Homes (%): 1.4%
- Soil Composition: Sandy, dry, low-organic content
- Future Temp: 74°F
Arizona’s low risk for termite damage is primarily due to its dry climate, with only 13.6 inches of rainfall annually. The desert soils, with low organic content, further discourage termite activity.
Even as future temperatures rise to 74°F between 2040 and 2059, the likelihood of significant termite infestations remains minimal.
4. North Dakota
Termite Damage Risk: Low
- Current Avg Temp: 40.4°F
- Precipitation: 17.8 inches
- Old Homes (%): 12.8%
- Soil Composition: Loamy, clayey (fertile, but colder climate inhibits termite activity)
- Future Temp: 47°F
North Dakota’s cold climate significantly reduces its termite risk. With an average temperature of 40.4°F and annual precipitation of 17.8 inches, termites find it hard to thrive.
Despite having 12.8% older homes and clayey soil, the colder temperatures inhibit termite activity. Even with future temperatures projected to rise to 47°F, the risk of infestations remains low.
5. Wyoming
Termite Damage Risk: Low
- Current Avg Temp: 42.0°F
- Precipitation: 12.9 inches
- Old Homes (%): 10.4%
- Soil Composition: Loamy, clayey
- Future Temp: 48°F
Wyoming is at low risk for termite damage due to its cold climate, with an average temperature of 42.0°F and only 12.9 inches of annual precipitation.
Although 10.4% of homes are older and the soil is clayey, the state’s cold temperatures inhibit termite activity. Even as future temperatures rise to 48°F between 2040 and 2059, the likelihood of significant termite damage is low.
Termite Risk in the Future
Termite risk is expected to remain high in states like Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Texas in the future. These states lead in termite activity due to their warm climates, suitable soil types, and higher prevalence of older homes.
However, warming trends and changing climatic conditions could increase termite activity in other states as well. States like Arizona and California may see a rise in termite infestations due to increasing temperatures and favorable soil conditions.
Homeowners in these areas should stay vigilant and consider pest control measures to protect their properties from potential termite damage.
Homes Built Before 1940
While older homes are more susceptible to termite infestations, the data reveals that the map for the states with the most old homes is actually inverse to our map for the most termite infested states.
Why is this? Well, we can assume that older homes in high-risk states are more likely to become damaged over time. Because of this, less of these homes remain.
In the Northern states, where termites are less likely to thrive, older homes have a better chance of surviving. With this being said, while older homes do play a role in termite susceptibility, there is no true correlation between the two in this study.
Our Methodology
When it comes to identifying states with a high risk of termite activity, we looked at multiple termite-attracting factors:
- Average temperature: The higher the temperature, the more likely termites will thrive and cause trouble.
- Average precipitation: More rain and higher temperatures create a perfect storm for termite activity.
- Homes built before 1940: Older homes are more vulnerable to termites due to aging wood and deteriorating construction materials.
- Soil composition: Termites love clay and loamy soil, which create an ideal environment for them to flourish.
- Future risk: Temperature changes can increase the chances of encountering termites in the future.
With these factors in mind, we compiled a list of the top states most (and least) at risk for termite damage.
