Many homeowners believe termites disappear with cold weather, assuming their homes are safe during winter. This is a common misconception; termites do not truly go dormant like hibernating insects. Instead, their activity levels change with environmental conditions, particularly temperature. Understanding these shifts is important for homeowners, highlighting the year-round potential for termite activity and structural damage.
How Termite Activity Changes with Temperature
Termites are cold-blooded creatures, meaning their internal body temperature and metabolic rates are directly influenced by ambient temperature. As temperatures drop, their metabolic processes slow significantly. This reduces their overall activity, including foraging, reproduction, and colony growth.
While activity decreases, termites do not enter true dormancy. Temperatures below 50°F (10°C) cause termites to become less active, and prolonged exposure below 25°F (-3.9°C) can be fatal if unprotected. This reduced activity is a survival tactic, allowing them to conserve energy. The optimal temperature range for most termite species is between 75°F and 95°F (24°C to 35°C), where they are most active.
Where Termites Go in Winter
In colder months, termites seek warmer, more stable environments. Subterranean termites, which live in soil, burrow deeper underground to escape freezing temperatures. They extend tunnels below the frost line, where soil temperatures remain consistent and above freezing. This allows them to continue some activity, albeit at a slower pace, and access food sources.
Drywood termites do not live in soil but infest wood directly. If established within a heated structure, such as a home, they remain active throughout winter. The consistent warmth and protection of buildings provide an ideal environment for these termites to continue feeding and surviving, largely unaffected by outdoor temperatures.
Why Termite Threat is Constant
Despite reduced activity or relocation during winter, the termite threat to homes remains constant year-round. Termites, especially those indoors, continue to consume wood and cause damage, even at a slower rate. Homes provide warmth, moisture, and a continuous food source, making them havens for termites seeking refuge from the cold.
Damage can accumulate silently throughout colder months, often unnoticed because homeowners may not actively look for pest signs. Signs such as mud tubes, hollow-sounding wood, or discarded wings can still indicate an active infestation during winter. Continuous vigilance and professional inspections are important regardless of the season to protect properties from termite damage.