Are Termites Active in Winter?

You may be wondering if your home is safe from termite infestation as long as the cold weather remains. While many pests will seemingly disappear during the winter, this isn’t the case with these destructive pests. Although subterranean termites are active in the winter, their behaviors may differ from those observed during the warmer months.

During the winter, subterranean termites will often move deeper into the soil to obtain the warmth needed for the survival of the colony. This will also mean that foraging tunnels will be deeper than previously and any cellulose-based materials that are exposed to cold may be deserted for something more accommodating. Although it may appear to the average observer that termite production has stopped, they are still quite active, albeit likely not as active as they would be in warmer temperatures.

There is, however, an exception to the rule when it comes to termite activity throughout the winter. In heated structures and the soil surrounding heated lower level floors, termite activity will likely remain unchanged as long as their warmth requirements are achieved. Under these conditions, the queen termite will continue to lay eggs at a steady rate although swarming will typically not happen until the beginning of spring.

What Can I Do?

Discovering termites in your home during the winter isn’t unheard of as long as the shelter and food found in your walls remain available. In fact, the heat released into your home and insulation makes your walls far less susceptible to the cold temperatures that could be swirling around outdoors. If you suspect you have termites in your home, contacting an exterminator or termite control specialist is likely your best bet for identifying and removing these destructive pests from your home or business.

Why Emtec Pest Control for Termite Control?

Don’t let termites overstay their welcome at your home during the holidays. If you are in need of termite control, the experts at Emtec Pest Control are here to help by providing the award-winning Sentricon® System! Give us a call at (918) 663-0613 or contact us today to get started and protect your home from these destructive pests!