While there are certainly pests that you do not have to worry about during the winter months, mosquitoes for example, there are others that you have to consider year-round. We are asked all the time whether or not termites are something that people should concern themselves with during winter. While we wish we could say no, this simply would not be true. No matter where you live, you have to worry about termites all year long. This is also why you should have a year-round plan to control termites in your home. This could be as simple as having an inspection conducted by your local Sacramento pest control company to ensure that no infestations are spreading. Regardless, doing nothing is not an option. Continuing learning about why taking care of termites is imperative all year long below.
What are the ideal conditions for termites?
The list of things that termites need to survive is pretty short and includes cellulose (acquired from wood, drywall, paper, plant matter, or cardboard), water, and humidity. They need water to both drink and to survive in general. Because their exoskeletons are not fully developed, they have to have a damp environment in order to survive. The ideal temperature for a termite colony is about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Here in sunny California, we see 75 degree days more often than not. Yes, even in the winter. This is probably a fairly good indication as to why you have to worry about termites all year long. Even when the temperature does drop below 75, termites know how to stay warm. They burrow down deeper into your home or the ground in order to protect themselves.
What is termite activity like throughout the year?
While you are far more likely to see the signs of termites when the weather is warmer, this is only because termites are able to operate closer to the surface when it is not cold. You could notice that there are mud tubes on the ground outside of your home or near the foundation of your house. These mud tubes are used by termites so that they can travel without having to expose themselves to the dry air or the sunlight.
Something else to take into consideration is that termites breed during the spring season. This is the time of year when the reproductive class matures, grows its wings and begins swarming in order to mate. Since the swarming takes place above ground, you may even be around to see it. If you aren’t there to witness it visually, it is always possible that you may hear it instead. Once the swarming is completed, you may even notice different signs that termites are present around your home. This is often in the form of wings that have been shed appearing on the window sills or in other areas of your home. These often look a bit like fish scales to someone who has little to no experience with termites.
However, since this activity only takes place in the spring, you may be wondering how you can spot signs of termites during the winter.
There are actually several signs that you have termites during the winter months and they are as follows:
- Cracks in the walls or the ceiling
- Paint peeling from your walls or ceiling
- Spots in the floor that have become soft
- Hollow sounds when you tap on the wood in your home
- Termite feces
If you happen to notice any of these signs in your home, it is imperative that you contact an exterminator as soon as possible.
Contact Earthwise Pest Management Today!
Believe us, we wish we could tell you that you are safe from termites in the winter months, but we cannot. Being proactive about your termite treatment is the best options for you as a homeowner. Simply waiting for termites to infest your home before you do anything about it is not likely to leave you with the conclusion you are looking for. Once termites are given the opportunity to reproduce, your home can become infested extremely quickly, allowing damage to occur faster than you ever imagined.
If you want to make sure that you are doing everything you can to keep your home free of termites all year long, contact Earthwise Pest Management today. We are Sacramento’s most trusted pest control company and we will go above and beyond to eliminate any and all termites in your home.
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