Termites are some of the most destructive insects to homes, and they can do a lot of damage in just one day. And now that the temperature is has dropped you may think that you are safe, however, that’s not necessarily true. Discovering termites in your home during any time of the year can be shocking, but even more so during the winter season. This is because everyone’s least favorite pest doesn’t always follow typical seasonal behaviors. So how do you prevent termites during winter?
The Behavior of Termites During Winter
While you may expect termites to become dormant during the winter that’s not the case. Termites will remain active during the winter season, even when it’s freezing outside. They will continue to eat, reproduce and burrow through wood; the only difference is that they do so at a much slower rate than in warmer climates. Termites survive in the cold by finding a warm place to hole up in, and if you aren’t careful that could be your home! Because of this, it is very important to understand the behavior and habits of these pests during winter.
Where Do They Go During Winter
While termites during winter can remain active that doesn’t mean that they can necessarily survive in the cold. Termites rely on the environment around them to provide the heat that they need to survive. So when temperatures begin to drop below freezing termites will begin to freeze unless they find somewhere warm. And most of the time this warm place is your home.
Once these insects have found somewhere to survive they will keep moving, eating, and expanding their colony. Each type of termite species will acclimate to the temperature in different ways. Subterranean termites during winter will burrow deeper into the ground, while drywood termites will burrow into wooden logs.
What Do They During Winter
And when it comes to the behavior of termites during winter, they have one main goal…to procreate and make more termites! Termite colonies are made up of multiple castes, and only the worker caste are the ones who bore through wood. They will dig through the soil to help grow the colony while also searching for food. Once the workers find the food they will eat through it and leave hollowed-out tunnels in their wake. After that, they carry the wood they have consumed back to the rest of the colony where they will feed the soldier termites and the reproductive castes throughout the colony.
These worker termites during winter can cause significant damage to the wooden structures that they feed on. And this continual feeding will begin to wear down the wood and the tunnels that are left compromise the structural integrity. While this damage is occurring the reproductive termites are continuously making new workers and expanding the colony. Thus creating a larger number of termites searching for food throughout wooden structures like your home.
How Termites Enter Your Home During Winter
Termites will infest homes and other structures by accessing from the outside. They will locate vulnerable wood by building a complex network of tunnels that branch off in various directions until they find the vulnerable pieces. Once they find wood they will begin to strip it off of all cellulose to provide food for the entire colony.
Termites during winter and throughout the rest of the year will use this same principle for infesting homes throughout the entire year. They are able to fight against the cold weather by creating exploratory tubes composed of fecal material and mud that are then used to extend their shelter up from the ground and towards the wood that makes up your home. These tubes also help keep termites during winter by allowing them to access wood that is near the topsoil without having to be exposed to the cold.
Signs of Termites During Winter
Because termites are active during the winter it is important to be aware of the signs of infestation. These insects are often referred to as “silent destroyers” because they can cause so much damage without any obvious signs. But if you know what to look for it is possible to prevent termites during winter and find out before they infest your home!
The first sign of termite activity is tunnels that branch off in various directions, especially near the foundation of your home. You might also see small mounds of soil that have been pushed up from the underground tunnels. And if you look closely, you might be able to find termites themselves crawling around on the surface.
If you do notice any of these signs it is important to call a professional right away! They will be able to prevent termites during winter and throughout the rest of the year. The longer you wait, the more damage that can be done which will require extensive repair work.
How to Prevent Termites During Winter
So, now that you know a little more about termites during winter, what can you do to prevent them from entering your home? There are various preventative measures that you can take to help protect yourself and your property.
- Inspect the exterior of your home for any weak points where termites might be able to gain entry. These areas might include broken windows, cracks in the foundation, loose siding and soffits. Fixing these weak spots can prevent termites during winter.
- Inspect wood surfaces for any signs of damage or discoloration that could indicate termite activity. And don't forget to check underneath porches, patios and other wooden structures where termites are likely to build their nests.
- Look for small piles of mud that have been pushed up around your home. If you spot these, there is a good chance that termite activity has taken place and it is time to call in the professionals! Prevention can prevent termites during winter.
- Keep trees pruned away from your home. This will prevent termites from accessing the foundation of your house by climbing up through the roots of close trees.
- You can also prevent termites during winter by keeping all wood surfaces painted or treated with a protective sealant that contains borate to prevent infestation.
Prevention is key when it comes to avoiding infesations during winter and throughout the year. By being aware of the signs of infestation and taking some preventative measures, you can help protect yourself from these destructive insects. If you suspect that there is a termite problem in your home contact our team today so we can help make sure your home is safe and pest-free.
