Most people notice termite infestations during the warmer months when they are doing repairs on their house or performing a little yard work, but termites can actually invade your home any time of year. You are just less likely to notice their presence in the wintertime because you are not checking up on the areas of your home where the termites tend to nest. There is no reason to fret, but you should also remain vigilant about protecting your home from termites.
Ideal Conditions For Termites
There are only three things termites require to survive: water, humidity, and cellulose (derived from wood, drywall, paper, or plant matter). They can easily access these three things any time of year, regardless of the temperature. Especially if you live in a warmer climate, the slight drop in temperature will likely do nothing to slow down termite activity. In fact, even if you do experience significantly colder temperatures, this could lead the termites to burrow deeper into your home to find warmth.
Termite Activity
You will certainly see more surface-level activity from termites during the warmer months, such as mud tubes on the ground and evidence of swarming behavior. Since termites do not mate in the winter, you need to be on the lookout for more subtle signs of termite activity. Some of these signs include peeling paint, cracks in the walls or ceilings, soft spots on the floor, hollow sounds when you knock on the walls, and termite waste.
Prevention
It’s important to be proactive about protecting your home from termites so that not only will your house be safe through the winter, but it will give you a good head start on termite prevention as the temperatures begin to rise. The best way to do it is to have your local exterminator come to your home and treat it for termites towards the end of fall. Along with the treatment, the exterminator should also perform an inspection to make sure that termites have not already taken up residence here because It’s always better to catch a termite infestation early on to save yourself time and money.
Firewood Storage
Additionally, there is one cold-weather commonality that can serve as an open invitation for termites to enter your home: firewood. Many homes have fireplaces in them, and as such, store firewood in their yard or shed. These piles of firewood create the perfect habitat for termites, and if they are stored near your house, it can be very easy for them to make the leap into your home. To remedy this, store firewood away from your home and off the ground to reduce the chances of termites taking up residence there.