Do Termites Go Dormant or Die in Winter in Pittsburgh, PA? How to Tell if They Are Active

During the cold winter months, there are many different species of animals that hibernate or fall dormant. From the ever-invading pests that infest our homes and businesses during the warmer months, many people find a little relief during the cold times of year. However, there are still assortments of pests that are just as vigilant during the winter, despite the great number of pests that indeed take a break from pestering mankind during the cold season. It is important you do not let your guard down, as termites are among the pests that are active all year long that subsequently cause the most destruction on homes and businesses. In fact, termites have cost home and business owners billions of dollars a year in damages as their insatiable consumption of wood and cellulose materials seems to have no end. With that consideration, we at Stewart Termite and Pest Control would like to briefly talk about termites in winter.

What Temperature Are Termites Most Active?

During the spring and early summer, people have a tendency to be more conscious of termites because that is the time of year they seem the most active. Once a colony is well established, after about seven years, the swarmers, or reproducers, will leave to start a new colony. Many people are unaware of the continued termite operations during the winter because of their winter habits and lessened activity. Throughout the warmer months, many property owners will set out to do excavation in their landscaping and gardening, as well as undertake home improvements, and not realize the contact they make with termites that are outside and not too far from their homes or businesses. As a result, these termites will invade during the winter months and unfortunately, people do not have the mindset to look for signs of their presence.

Do Termites Die When it Gets Too Cold?

The winter will frequently bring out different habits in many different species of termites including drywood, dampwood, Eastern subterranean, and Formosan subterranean termites. Termites are not dead or hibernating during the winter just because people are unaware of their winter habits. There are two circumstances that dictate how the termites respond to the cold months to stay warm; the location of the colony and termite species. Most termites require favorable temperatures of 75 degrees Fahrenheit to live comfortably. Depending on these factors, determines how the termites respond to the cold months to stay warm.

Termite Survival During Winter

Termites require food to survive the winter like many animals. Termites that live under the ground in deep nests, such as subterranean termites need the soil. As the temperatures drop to maintain the warmth, termites dig further into the ground. They are not always visible as some report termites digging 40 inches below ground to stay warm and are very active during the winter months.

Termite Inspection, Treatment & More

Being those termites do in fact need their water, wood, and warmth the threat of a termite infestation exists, even when they are necessarily visible. In heated homes, their needs to survive are easily met. Discarded wings of the reproductive caste, observing damaged wood, and seeing the mud tubes constructed from the tunneling termites, indicate an infestation. Call in the experts of Stewart Termite and Pest Control today if you believe termites have invaded your home!