As the weather starts to cool, many people believe termites have either stopped working, are hibernating or have died. This couldn’t be farther from the truth as termites will stay active throughout the year. Termites look like ants and may even be called white ants but they aren’t related to ants at all. Termites are closely related to cockroaches. A-Tex Pest Management outlines why termites are still a problem in cold weather.
Termite Behavior
The work habits of termites are like those of ants and bees with classes and castes. They will feed primarily on dead plants, leaf litter, wood and animal dung and their colonies can number from a few hundred to over a million! These colonies can be in city-like structures and are built in intricate and complex ways with three types of termites found within a colony. The nymphs, soldiers and workers. Colonies may also have more than one queen. Termites aren’t picky about what time of year it is when it comes to eating away at you home. They will find a way in and bring the entire colony with them. Termites are responsible for millions of dollars in damage each year, caused by destroying wood structures from the inside out. They will continue looking for food and destroying wood structures. The type of termite, size of colony and the proximity to wood will cause different extents of damage and because they are more active in the warmer months, homeowners fail to protect their homes in the winter.
Termites in the Winter
Termites need three things to survive—water, wood and heat that are all available inside your home. Termites that build their nests in the ground do not go dormant in the winter. Tree stumps, logs and other large wooden objects will be a great place to over winter providing shelter. If you’re are not noticing signs of termite activity in the winter it doesn’t mean they are dead. If you find them and they appear frozen they probably aren’t and will recover when warmed. They will deal with the cold temperatures by digging into the soil deeper to find warmth. Termites have been found as far as 40 inches below their nests into the ground where activity will slow but not be dormant. Look for mud tubes on the walls and floor, wood surfaces that are sunken that appear like mild craters on the surface, shed wings inside or around the house and wood powder near minute pinholes on the surface of the wood. It’s smart to look for these signs throughout the year. Subterranean termites will stay active year-round in buildings with central air conditioning
Termite Pest Inspections, Treatment, Control, Removal & More in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park Texas
The problem with termites is if they find their way into your home before the cold weather arrives they will be active throughout the winter. Our homes provide wood and water along with warmth, making it possible to get through any season. Keep up with termite pest control all year-round to avoid an infestation. Be vigilant and do not ignore any possible warning signs. For the best termite control, contact A-Tex Pest Management today!
