Termites are the most expensive pest in America — and the damage they do is almost never covered by insurance. This page collects the key termite statistics from the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), USDA-attributed figures, university entomology departments, and the insurance industry, each with its original source. Updated July 2026.
Key termite statistics
- Termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage in the U.S. every year — roughly $6.8 billion adjusted for inflation (NPMA/PestWorld).
- Approximately 600,000 U.S. homes suffer termite damage each year (Orkin).
- The average homeowner who discovers termite damage spends about $3,000 on repairs (Orkin).
- Standard homeowners insurance does not cover termite damage — insurers treat infestations as a preventable maintenance issue (Insurance Information Institute).
- Estimates of total annual costs associated with subterranean termites in the U.S. run over $30 billion when agriculture and all control costs are included (UF/IFAS).
Colony size and appetite
- A mature subterranean termite colony contains 60,000 to 2 million workers and takes 5–10 years to reach maturity (NPMA/PestWorld).
- Even a small 60,000-worker colony eats about 1/5 ounce (5 g) of wood per day — enough to consume 2.3 feet of a 2×4 in a year (NPMA/PestWorld).
- A mature queen lays 5,000–10,000 eggs per year, up to 1,000 in a single day (NPMA/PestWorld).
- In NPMA’s “Tiny Termite House” study, 500,000+ subterranean termites released around a built-to-code model home destroyed floor and wall joists within months (NPMA).
Formosan termites: the super-colony
The invasive Formosan subterranean termite is in a class of its own:
- Colonies reach 10 million individuals — one colony in Algiers, Louisiana was estimated at 70 million (LSU AgCenter, 2001).
- The U.S. spends $1–2 billion per year on Formosan control and repairs (USDA-attributed, via Orkin); UF/IFAS puts the species’ total annual U.S. economic impact at over $4 billion (UF/IFAS).
- In New Orleans alone, Formosan termites cause an estimated $300 million in damage per year (LSU AgCenter, 2001).
- Formosan colonies forage up to 100 meters from the nest in the field, and their colonies are 10–15% soldiers versus 1–2% in native species (UF/IFAS).
Drywood termites
- West Indian drywood termite colonies mature at about 5 years and can live more than 10 (UF/IFAS).
- They account for roughly $140 million in annual treatment costs in Florida and $30 million in Hawaii (UF/IFAS).
Where the risk is highest
The U.S. Forest Service’s Termite Infestation Probability (TIP) map divides the country into four risk zones, from Region I (very heavy — the Gulf Coast, Southeast, southern California, Hawaii) to Region IV (none to slight). HUD and the International Code Council use these zones to set mortgage inspection and building-code requirements (via Orkin). See our state-by-state termite risk map — free to embed.
Related guides
Wondering what treatment would cost you? Try the Pest Control Cost Calculator — pro vs DIY, sourced ranges.
How to cite this page
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