Where Do Termites Go in the Winter?
WouterTermites are cold-blooded creatures. They cannot survive extreme winter conditions. They retreat to a shelter for warmth and protection from the elements. They also hibernate in dead tree stumps or inside buildings.
The only thing that enables termites to stay active during the cold months is warm soil. They will dig deeper to find warmer ground. They build underground tunnels, often several feet deep. The soil around the tunnels will serve as a shelter for the colony.
Some subterranean termites may swarm in late winter. In southern regions where the temperatures are warm, the queen will continue to lay eggs. The number of eggs produced will depend on the age of the queen. Satellite colonies are located near food sources and enable termites to reproduce more quickly. This means that the damage caused by termites will increase in the winter.
Wood termites are mainly interested in wood. They move to areas where the temperature is at least 10degC. They can survive in extreme weather conditions, such as snow or freezing. They are calm in these temperatures, but they will die if the temperature drops to 16degC.
Drywood termites prefer homes made of wood that is dry. They are still calm in the winter, but they will search for new territory once they have found enough food. These termites will feed on the wood of a home all year round, but they are less active in the winter.
While it is hard to see the signs of termite activity in the winter, trained inspectors can identify an active colony. They may find frass and old wings around the home, or they may discover mud tubes that are near the soil. If you are concerned about termite infestations in your home, you should call a professional who can offer year-round termite protection.
