Termites Are Active in Winter!

The cold winter months often cause many different living creatures to hibernate or fall dormant until the cold temperatures climb back up. Pests are included, often giving people a relief from their annoying habits and infestations. There are still quite a few pests that still run rampant all year long, however, and they are often the ones that cause a lot of concern. Just because it has grown cold and we are in the midst of winter, doesn’t mean you can let your guard down. Termites are one of the many pests that are vigilant all year long and they subsequently, cause the most destruction on homes and businesses. Reported termite infestations have cost home and business owners in the U.S. alone billions of dollars a year due to the damage they cause consuming the wood and other cellulose materials used to construct buildings and possessions. At this time, we at Eagle Pest Services would like to discuss termite general habits during the winter.

Termite Swarmers

People have a tendency to be more conscious of termites throughout the spring and early summer because of their increased activities. After about seven years, a termite colony is fairly established. When it is, the swarmers, or the reproducing kings and queens, will leave their colony to begin a new one. During the winter, people think they are no longer active because their activities are not so busy and are less obvious. Not realizing the contact people make with termite colonies outside that is in close proximity to their homes, many folks cause termites to look for relocation when their original nests are disrupted by people doing excavation in their landscaping and gardening, as well as doing home improvements. Because they look to forage new terrain or create new nests, they are now preparing to take cover from the winter, relocating their home. Since most do not notice termites in the winter, they do not have the mindset to see the red flags they are there.

Types of Termites; Subterranean, Drywood & Dampwood

The primary classification of termites includes drywood, dampwood, Eastern subterranean, and Formosan subterranean termites and the species found in each group have separate and distinct habits in the winter. In Virginia, the Eastern subterranean termites do not die out or hibernate in the winter and their activities are simply less obvious. During the months where the temperatures drop, termites respond based on two circumstances in an effort to stay warm; which type of termites they are and the location of their colony. Typically, most termites in general require temperatures of 75 degrees Fahrenheit to live comfortably.

Termite Temperature Survival

Like all animals, termites require food to survive and that includes during the winter. Subterranean termites need the soil, living under the ground; they develop their nests within the soil. To escape the cold, they will dig deeper to maintain the warmth they need. Staying very active during the winter, there have been documentation where termites have dug 40 inches below ground to stay warm, so they are not always noticeable to people. They do still venture into structures and other places to find the wood to feed the colony and homes are the most optimal places to forage since they typically maintain warmth. If you do have termites keep an eye out for the signs including the mud tubes constructed from the tunneling termites, discarded wings left behind from the swarmers, damaged wood, and so on. 

Termite Inspections & Treatment

If you suspect termites are invading your home or grounds, call in the experts of Eagle Pest Services and let our team of specialists inspect the property and if any found, we can efficiently rid them of your home.