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When it gets into the 20s and snow starts to accumulate on the ground here in New York, you don't have to worry about termites anymore, right? Termites die if they freeze, don't they? Yes. Termites can freeze to death. But, if you have these insects eating away at the structure of your home, they aren't going to be freezing in there. Even your exterior walls will have enough heat radiating through them to keep termites cozy all winter long. If you have an active infestation, you have to have it treated immediately.
How can I figure out if I have a winter termite infestation?
Subterranean termites come up from the ground. If you have a crawl space under your home or a basement that has dirt in it, these are the places to look first. Look for packed mud on foundation walls, beams, and studs. Tap wood beams and see if any of them sound hollow. If they do, place your ear to the wood and listen for a clicking sound. Termite workers communicate with each other by tapping their heads on tunnel walls.
What you won't find in your home if you have winter termites.
When you look for signs of termites, don't bother looking for sawdust. Subterranean termites consume wood. They do not push sawdust or frass (feces) out of their tunnels. If you find any sawdust laying around, it is likely that you have carpenter ants.
What do termites look like?
During the winter months, you aren't going to see termites unless you remove a wall in your home. The only time subterranean termites are not inside the wood they are consuming is when a mature colony produces male and female winged reproductive. But these "swarmer" termites are only produced during warm months. If you do rip a wall out and see termites, you will recognize them by their pale white or yellow coloring and insect features. A termite has two antennae, six legs, and three body parts, though their thorax and abdomen look like one body part because termites do not have a pinched waist like an ant or a wasp.
What do I do if I find signs of termites this winter?
If you live in our New York service area, let Parkway Pest Services protect your equity with the most advanced termite protection available. We've been protecting homes and businesses in Long Island, Brooklyn, and the New York metro for over 80 years. Let our Quality Pro-certified team of educated pest specialist make sure your property is free of these wood-destroying pest.