💸 Florida’s $500M Problem They Don’t Want to Talk About

In this email:

• 😬 Florida Has 21 Termite Species (Yep. Twenty-One …

• 💥 $500M+ in Annual Damage — Just in Florida

• 📍 Florida's Most Termite-Prone Cities

• 📉 Termite Forecast: Not Great, Bob

• 🌪️ Florida Spring = Termite Tornado Season

• 📊 Termite Stats You Can’t Unsee

• 🌴 Florida = Paradise For You & Termites

👋 Hey there !

Florida isn’t just famous for gators and beaches — it’s also a termite hotspot. Like, really a hotspot. Here’s what’s going on in the world of Florida termites (and why it matters — whether you own a home, sell homes, or just hate surprise repair bills).

😬 Florida Has 21 Termite Species (Yep. Twenty-One.)

With 20+ termite species crawling around — including six invasive ones — Florida officially wins the crown for termite diversity in the continental U.S. It’s basically a bug buffet out here.

But here’s the real lineup to watch: Only three species cause the majority of the structural damage:

• Formosan Subterranean (Coptotermes formosanus) – Giant colonies, major damage, zero chill

• Asian Subterranean (Coptotermes gestroi) – Spreading inland fast like it’s on a mission

• West Indian Drywood (Cryptotermes brevis) – Especially fond of Tampa and South Florida’s cozy wood frames

Also lurking:

• Conehead Termites – Rare but totally chaotic; they build nests above ground like ants on steroids

Bottom line: If it’s made of wood and located in Florida… it’s fair game.

💥 $500M+ in Annual Damage — Just in Florida

Nationwide, termites cause about $5 billion in property damage each year. Florida? Responsible for over $500 million of that.

Why?

• One Formosan colony can cause $10k+ in damage in under 6 months

• Florida homes have a 1 in 5 chance of facing a termite issue.

• A 2x4 can be hollowed out by termites in 30 days flat.

Basically, termites see Florida as beachfront property, 24/7.

📍 Florida's Most Termite-Prone Cities

According to Orkin’s 2025 rankings (based on termite treatments), Florida’s absolutely crushing the leaderboard — and not in a good way.

Here’s the termite leaderboard you don’t want to be on:

• Miami – #1 for the third year straight 🏆 (yikes)

• Tampa – Holding strong at #3

• Orlando – Climbed to #5 (was #8 last year)

• West Palm Beach – Now #6

• Fort Myers – Up to #26

• Jacksonville – Just cracked the list at #30

Basically, if you're in Florida… termites already have your ZIP code.

📉 Termite Forecast: Not Great, Bob

According to UF experts, within the next 20 years, half of all homes in South Florida could be dealing with termite damage. Yeah — 50%. That’s a lot of chewed-up floorboards, attic beams, and homeowner heartbreak.

And here’s the real kicker: most insurance policies in Florida don’t cover termite damage.

So yeah, termite prevention isn’t just a “nice-to-have” — it’s a survival strategy. Think of it like sunscreen in July. You might not feel the damage right away, but it’s coming if you don’t protect yourself.

🌪️ Florida Spring = Termite Tornado Season

From April to July, especially on warm, humid nights after rain, Florida turns into swarm central — and Formosan and Asian subterranean termites are leading the charge. A single Formosan colony can release tens of thousands of swarmers in one go, swirling around porch lights like some apocalyptic bug ballet. If you’ve ever seen what looked like a cloud of bugs by a streetlamp? Yep. That’s them.

And these guys aren’t playing around. A single Formosan termite colony can have:

• 10 million+ termites

• Nest inside walls and attics (they make their own moisture)

• Enough munching power to hollow out a 2x4 in under a month

So yeah… it’s not if they cause damage — it’s how fast.

📊 Termite Stats You Can’t Unsee

Straight from the bug brains at the University of Florida:

• By the time a Florida home hits 30 years old, there’s a 25% chance it’s had termites.

• In coastal, high-risk areas? 1 in 5 termite inspections finds termite activity — past or present.

So yeah... if your house is near the beach and you haven’t had a termite issue yet, congrats — but also… maybe don’t get too comfy.
Because in Florida, it’s not really if — it’s when.

🌴 Florida = Paradise For You & Termites

If you’ve made it this far, you now know more about termite trends than 99% of homeowners (and maybe even some realtors 👀). Whether you're dealing with a vintage Key West bungalow or a shiny new Lakewood Ranch build, the threat is real — and sneaky.

But here’s the good news: being proactive beats being panicked. Stay sharp during swarm season, don’t ignore those weird wood shavings, and for the love of lumber, get regular termite inspections. Your 2x4s will thank you.

Till next time — stay dry, stay termite-free, and don’t trust any bug that eats your house from the inside out.

Until next time,
— The Waves Pest Control Team 🌊

P.S. If you learned something today, pass this along to your neighbor who definitely has termites but won’t admit it.