The $6.8 Billion Threat to Homes: Inside Terminix’s Live Termite Tour

Key Terms

subterranean termites medical

Subterranean termites are small, wood-eating insects that live in the soil and build hidden mud tunnels to reach and consume wooden parts of buildings and other structures. For investors, they matter because infestations can cause significant, often unseen structural damage that reduces property value, increases maintenance and insurance costs, and can interrupt rental income or development plans—like a slow, hidden leak that quietly eats away at an asset’s worth.

Tiny model home reveals how termite damage can silently and quickly impact homes

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Termites are one of the most destructive pest threats to homes nationwide. Often referred to as “The Silent Destroyers,” termites can cause significant structural damage long before homeowners realize they’re present. To illustrate how quickly that damage can unfold, Terminix®, a Rentokil Terminix company, launched its new “Termite Tour,” a staged simulation designed to expose the hidden reality of termite activity.

Terminix presents Termite Tour

The activation centers on a tiny Miami-inspired luxury replica home, where live Formosan termites were introduced to show how quickly hidden structural damage can develop, highlighting a costly and often invisible risk for homeowners nationwide. According to the National Pest Management Association, termites cause an estimated $6.8 billion in damage and treatment costs annually.

The termites were introduced and allowed to feed for three weeks in the replica tiny home, revealing both visible and structural deterioration, from compromised wood and flooring to internal damage that developed long before outward warning signs appeared. Luxury real estate broker Fredrik Eklund showcased the home during the demonstration, observing firsthand how termite activity quietly compromised the structure's integrity.

The Termite Tour simulation, guided by Hunter Bergbower, Senior Entomologist at Terminix, brings termite risk into sharp focus for homeowners, particularly in high-risk regions like Florida, where termite activity persists year-round.

“The model home is a representation of the tangible impact that termites can have, but it’s only scratching the surface,” said Bergbower. “In a real home, much of the damage occurs inside walls and beneath floors, places you cannot see. That hidden destruction is what makes termite infestations so costly and alarming.”

Why Florida?

Florida remains one of the highest-risk environments for termite activity in the U.S., making it a natural reference point for the demonstration. The state’s warm temperatures, high humidity, and dense coastal development create the perfect environment for termite colonies to spread quickly and remain active year-round.

“Florida’s persistent termite activity makes infestations harder to predict and easier to overlook,” said Bergbower. “Waiting for visible warning signs can put properties at risk, which is why regular inspections and proactive prevention are especially critical in high-risk regions like this.”

How to Identify Termite Activity

Early detection is one of the most effective ways to reduce repair costs. According to Terminix, homeowners should watch for these early warning signs:

1. Termite swarmers: Swarms are comprised of winged termites looking to start a new colony.
2. Discarded wings: After swarming, termites shed their wings, which are often found in small piles on windowsills or near light fixtures.
3. Mud tubes: Look for pencil-sized tubes on a structure’s foundation. Subterranean termites use these to travel from soil to a home or a building’s wood.
4. Wood damage: If the wood sounds hollow when tapped, or if galleries or tunnels are visible in floorboards, it could be an indication of termite wood deterioration.

Through the Termite Tour, Terminix aims to help homeowners recognize risks earlier and take preventive action before minor infestations become major financial setbacks. Photo and video assets of the Termite Tour can be viewed here.

To learn more about termite prevention and Terminix’s termite treatment plans for homes and businesses, visit www.terminix.com/termite-control/.

About Rentokil Terminix

Rentokil Terminix is the leading provider of residential and commercial services in North America. The company provides health, hygiene, and environment services, and pest management services, including protection against termites, mosquitoes, rodents and other pests. The company is part of Rentokil Initial plc (NYSE: RTO), one of the largest business services companies in the world. To learn more, visit EnhancedPestControl.com, or linkedin.com/company/rentokilterminix.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Hannah Bernhard

Hannah.Bernhard@rentokil.com

Source: Rentokil Terminix