If you have owned your New York home for any length of time, you know that termite protection is essential. Termites cost U.S. property owners billions of dollars each and every year. You probably also know that termites are able to completely demolish a home so that it is uninhabitable. But have you ever wondered where termites go in the winter? Today, we are going to solve the mystery.
The Winter Termite
Some birds fly south for the winter. Some bears hibernate in caves. But where do those termites go? As you may have already guessed, they don't go anywhere. Though the cold temperatures in New York state are more than enough to kill all known termite species, these pests don't have to head south to protect themselves. They stay right where they are.
Termites live in the soil next to a home they are feeding on, but their nest is deep in the ground. When temperatures drop, workers stop traveling up through tunnels and up through mud tubes on the foundation of homes and stay in their nest. This is good news if your home is currently being attacked by termites.
Isn't the cold temperature of the ground enough to freeze them? Yes, it can. Termites are cold-blooded creatures and incapable of regulating their body temperature. If it gets too cold, ice crystals will form in their bodies and kill them. But as soon as a nice layer of snow covers the ground, those termites are good to go. Snow acts as an insulator that keeps heat from escaping the ground.
So I'm safe in the winter? Well, not exactly. You may be safe from a new infestation because those termites are not interested in swarming when the temperature is below freezing, but if you already have an infestation, you could be in trouble. If the temperature is right, termites can feed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. In temperate states like Florida and Hawaii, these pests never stop eating. But, to continue to eat your New York home, they need to find a nice, cozy crawl space or a patch of soil that is continually warmed. Do you have any places like that on your property? If you do, termites can stay active all winter long.
If you've been thinking about getting termite protection, don't wait till spring. Get a certified termite inspection today and keep those termites from having another four months to feast on your home. Under the right conditions, termites don't have to take a break. Don't take the chance that they've found the right conditions on your property. Get in contact with the termite professionals here at Parkway Pest Services today!