Do Termites Go Dormant During the Winter or Do Termite Infestations Remain Active in Erie, PA?

As the cooler temperatures creep in, many homeowners will direct their attention to winter pests such as rodents, bed bugs, and other pests that invade homes to escape the bitter cold of the winter season. Fall is the best time to begin preparing your home defenses from the winter invading pests. However there is one pest everyone keeps asking about, and the question is, are termites still a problem in the winter? It is a common belief that termites hibernate during the winter. Even in the coldest places in the world, the answer to this question is no. Termites don’t hibernate. Stewart Termite & Pest Control will go into depth about the habits of termites during the winter and how they still pose a threat to your home.

Where do Termites Go During the Winter?

For those who live near coastal areas where the weather doesn’t get too cold, termites can breed and destroy wood all year long. In areas like Pennsylvania where we get very cold in the winter, it is a common belief that termites go into hibernation. While termites are fragile to extreme temperatures, they don’t actually hibernate during the winter. Pennsylvania is known to have several species of termites. However, the most common species found destroying homes are subterranean termites which live underground. When the snow begins to fall they retreat deeper underground to avoid the icy surfaces. They will dig elaborate tunneling systems in search of a food source.

What Do Termites Need to Live?

In order for termites to thrive they require moisture, soil, and a food source. It is actually very common to find signs of termite activity during the winter in basements or wood near or in contact with the ground. These areas of a home provide a gateway into your home where temperatures are more of a delight for termites. The one good news is that the colder temperature does slow down termite activity and the queens slow down egg development and production. Nonetheless, the termites are still destroying your home. Another piece of good news is that during the winter, Alates which become future kings queens of a termite colony are not mature enough to seek new homes and the cold temperature would kill them as well. The winter does provide an opportunity to prevent future colonies from spreading. If a termite colony has indeed invaded your home, you have the chance to stop future colonies from spreading to other areas near or in your home.

How Do I Know if I have Termites in My House?

Signs of termites inside your home are still present but may be harder to detect. During fall and winter it is wise to regularly inspect the inside and outside of your home for three common signs of a termite invasion during the winter season. One sign is mud tunnels on the outside and inside of your home. These tunnels can even be on the ceiling, wall, base broads, floors, and especially inside basements. Another sign is tiny holes on the wall followed by piles of saw dust. If you have any or all three of these signs, you have termites.

Termite Inspections & Treatments

Don’t let your guard down this winter. Contact Stewart Termite & Pest Control. We can inspect for termites and if found, treat your home. We can provide ongoing protection from termites and other winter invading pests. Contact Stewart Termite & Pest Control today.