Termites are the dreaded wood-feeding insect that cause millions of dollars in damage a year for homeowners in America. During the winter, most people think that all bugs either die off or go underground, but this simply isn’t true. Termites stay active year-round, and underestimating these pests can cost you thousands of dollars a year in termite damage to your home. Thankfully, we can help you identify the signs. Termites may be active inside your yard, but termites can travel up to 100 feet, so a termite problem in the yard can quickly become a termite problem in the home. Termites will also rise from the ground inside the crawl space and begin feeding on your foundation. Thankfully, Summit Pest Control offers termite control treatments year round, in both Summer and Winter.
Are Termites Active in Winter?
Winter is the time of the year when temperatures drop and most plants die off, and during this time of year, many species of insects also either die off due to a lack of food, or they overwinter, reducing their activity and becoming a much less common sight in homes. Due to this effect, many people believe that there are no insects active in winter, and their homes are safe from all insect pests during the colder months. Unfortunately, this just isn’t true. Termites are active during the winter, in fact they stay active year round. As the temperatures cool down, subterranean termites will typically move deeper underground, as the soil stays warm below the frost line. However, your heated crawl space, basements and wall voids will provide plenty of warmth for these insects, inviting them to feed on your home.
Signs of Termites In Yard
You might think that a termite infestation is no big deal, if they’re just in your yard and not feeding on your home, then what’s the problem? However, termites can travel up to a hundred feet, so a termite problem even in the furthest corners of your yard can quickly become a serious issue, as these termite colonies migrate towards your home to feed on any wooden structures you might have. However, keeping an eye out for the signs of a termite infestation in your yard will allow you to take decisive action before these wood-eating pests can cause any serious damage. Some signs of a termite infestation in your yard include mud tubes, piles of frass, discarded termite wings, or sightings of the actual termites themselves. Mud tubes are tubes that termites make from mud and saliva that allows them to travel above ground without drying out by maintaining a certain level of moisture in their bodies. Termite frass is the term for termite droppings, which have a granular texture and resemble sawdust. Flying termites, also known as swarmers, will also often leave behind their wings, and you might even spot them flying around. However, if you have any rotting logs or tree stumps in your yard, the sight of termites feeding on them is the number one reason to be concerned about a termite infestation possibly breaching your home.
Termites In Your Crawl Space
An un-encapsulated crawl space that still receives heat from the home provides the perfect conditions for a termite colony to set up shop and begin feeding. Un-encapsulated crawl spaces typically have unprotected dirt floors, allowing termites to rise up from the ground and build their mud tubes alongside the foundation, allowing them access to the wood within your home. Termites can not survive in dry conditions, and prefer high levels of humidity to thrive. A crawl space that is not encapsulated creates these humid conditions that allows termites to thrive, and the humid air from the crawl space can circulate around the first floor of your home, making the rest of your home even more inviting to termites. During the harsh, cold winter, your humid crawl space will be kept warm by the heat of your home, and your crawl space will become a beacon for subterranean termites looking for a warm place to settle down and some fresh wood to eat. The humid conditions of a crawl space that is not encapsulated can also lead to wood rot, which is another favorable condition for termites.
Can You Treat Termites In The Winter?
While termites inside your yard or crawl space can be very upsetting for homeowners, termites CAN be treated during the winter before any permanent, long lasting damage is made. Termites are cold blooded, so they will search even harder for warmer temperatures, attracting them to your crawl space or basement. Termite control treatments are also slightly more effective in the winter, as during the winter traps can be strategically placed closer to the actual termites nest, as they are not searching as far for food. Termite treatment during the winter is important, as termites are one of the single most destructive pests you can have on your property. Termites can hollow out wooden structures, seriously damaging the structural integrity of your home, and they will do similar damage to decks and other wooden furniture. If you have a termite problem, then the property value of your home will be severely lowered, and in some cases, you might not be able to sell your home at all. Thankfully, Summit Pest Control offers the best in termite protection and treatment.
Best Termite Treatment Near Me
If you need termite treatments or termite prevention in the Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax or Fredericksburg areas, contact Summit Pest Control today. We offer comprehensive termite inspections where we will determine where the termites are coming from, where they are feeding, and the best course of action to solve the problem. We also offer preventative treatments for termites, to keep them from viewing your home as a suitable site for their colonies. We also offer the best termite treatment and termite damage remediation services, to fully eliminate the pest problem from your property and to repair any damages that the termites may have caused.
