How Soon Should You Worry About Termites?

Everybody knows that termites get worse in the spring and summer, but should homeowners be concerned in February? The answer isn’t a simple yes or no but rather a very strong maybe.

Let’s investigate typical termite activity and the circumstances that might make them a problem during the winter.

Termite Activity Throughout the Year

As you may already know, termites are most active during the spring and summer when the weather warms up. But what you may not realize is that termites are actually active all year, we just usually don’t see them.

Termites are social insects that group together in colonies. These colonies can be humungous with hundreds of thousands of termites. Some colonies even have more than one queen. A colony that large takes a lot of work to build and requires year round upkeep.

Since termites are cold-blooded creatures they can’t regulate their body temperature. This leaves them very susceptible to the cold, and the weather dictates their activity. For example, subterranean termites dig deeper into the ground to find enough warmth for survival. By creating intricate structures with their own excrement and generating a lot of heat with their bodies, termites are able to keep their nests around 91 degrees Fahrenheit in the dead of winter.

They huddle together in their holes and only emerge to forage for food when the weather is warm enough. In areas like the Gulf Coast it’s possible for termites to go out food foraging at any time of year if it’s not freezing.

Swarming typically starts between March and May when the weather is really warm and humid. This activity indicates that termites are breaking off to begin new colonies. The chances of a new infestation occurring are high during this time.

Even though spring is when termites are most visible, it’s not necessarily when they do the most damage. They’ll continue to mate, feed on wood and grow their new colony throughout the summer. If they find a warm spot they’ll continue to do damage throughout the fall and winter.

Situations That Get Termites Moving in the Winter

Termites only need three things to survive: moisture, wood and warmth.

In warmer regions, like the southeast, termites can become more active before spring officially arrives. When the winter has been very mild they could even start foraging far from their nest in February. If the temperatures get up above 70 degrees Fahrenheit and there’s rain termites may even begin swarming.

Another big factor is where a termite colony is located when the fall sets in. Termites that have already built a nest inside a home, the foundation or a wall cavity will have protection from the cold. They’ll stay where they are and continue to eat away at whatever cellulose fibers they can find. In heated homes termites can be just as active in the winter as they are in the summer.

During the winter months when termites are less active the most common signs of an infestation include:

• Mud tubes on the floors or walls.
• Paint that is bubbling and/or cracked – usually with frass coming out of the cracks.
• Wood surfaces that seem to be sunken in or cratered.
• Wings or bodies of termites.

Preventing and controlling termites in Alabama is a year round job. Homeowners have to always be on their guard, particularly if winter has been unseasonably warm. If you’ve noticed any of the infestation signs above Vulcan Termite and Pest Control Inc. can help. Our team has been taking care of termites with pest control treatments for the last 50 years. We’re experienced and equipped to handle even the largest infestations no matter what season it is.

Original Source: https://www.vulcantermite.com/seasonalpests/how-soon-should-you-worry-about-termites/