Termites Cause More Than $1 Billion in Damage

Advisory Report - April 2000

Termites Cause More Than $1 Billion in Damage
An estimated $1.17 billion in damage is caused by termites each year, according to a Texas A&M University study.

The termite swarming season is well underway across some parts of the country.  Warm, rainy conditions are conducive to the swarming of termites.  Subterranean termites, which are the most common type of termite found in the United States, can enter a home through a crack or void as small as 1/32" in the slab or wall, any lumber in contact with the soil, an earth-filled stoop, expansion joints, behind brick veneer, and through rigid foam insulation in contact with the soil.

An average subterranean termite colony contains between 60,000 and 200,000 termites.  According to the Texas A&M study, termites cause more dollar damage than tornadoes, hurricanes and wind storms combined.

Learn more about termites.