Do Termites Go Dormant in the Winter?
WouterMany people believe termites go dormant in the winter, but this is not the case. Termites are active year round. They forage for food and continue to make new nests. But, they do slow down in the colder months.
In the winter, they can still cause damage to your home. Termites need wood to survive. But, they also need warm, dark and moist environments. They dig deeper into the soil to keep warm. Some species can survive very cold temperatures.
They can even find shelter in the form of mud tubes that can be built near the soil. They can dig down up to forty inches below the surface. They stay close to the nests when searching for food, but then retreat to the nest when it gets cold.
They can also swarm in the spring. Depending on the species, their egg laying rate may be suspended during the colder months. In areas that have a warm winter, the queen termite produces eggs at a steady rate all year long.
Termites do not hibernate, but they do have a tendency to remain dormant in the winter. This is due to their cold blood. In order to maintain their activity, they need to be kept warm.
If you suspect you have an infestation of termites, you can try heating a suspicious area. Termites can hide in cold, dark spaces, but they are also attracted to warmth. If you have a leaking pipe, for instance, this can be the ideal spot for termites to enter your home.
