Termites are known for causing extensive damage to homes and structures. Understanding their activity patterns throughout the year is important for homeowners to protect their property from infestations.
Termite Activity Throughout the Year
Termites remain active throughout the entire year. Their colonies, often residing within walls, foundations, or underground, are insulated from external temperature fluctuations. This subterranean existence allows them to continuously forage and cause damage, even when external conditions are unfavorable.
Peak Activity and Swarming Seasons
Termite activity becomes most visible during swarming events, when winged reproductives emerge to establish new colonies. Most subterranean termites swarm in the spring and summer months, often on a warm day with calm winds after rainfall. For instance, Formosan subterranean termites swarm from April through June, peaking in early to mid-May, preferring warm, humid, and windless evenings. These winged termites, known as alates, leave their parent colonies to mate and seek new locations.
Drywood termites generally swarm from late summer to fall. Some drywood species may also swarm in the spring or summer, with some occurring at night. Swarming is a natural part of the termite life cycle, indicating a mature colony is present and expanding. While swarming is a clear indication of an infestation, it represents only a fraction of the colony’s year-round activity.
Environmental Factors Driving Activity
Environmental conditions significantly influence termite activity. Temperature plays a significant role, with most termite species thriving in optimal ranges between 75 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Warmer temperatures generally increase their metabolism, leading to more aggressive foraging and reproductive rates. Conversely, colder weather can lead to reduced activity, as termites retreat deeper into the soil or warmer, insulated areas within structures.
Moisture is another crucial factor for termite survival, especially for subterranean termites. Damp soil, leaks, or high humidity levels attract termites and increase their activity. Excessive moisture can create ideal conditions for subterranean termites, as it facilitates tunneling and provides the necessary humidity for colony expansion. Even outside traditional swarming seasons, warm, damp environments within a home can lead to increased termite activity.
Recognizing Active Infestations
Homeowners can identify signs that termites are currently active by looking for specific indicators. Subterranean termites construct mud tubes, which are pencil-sized tunnels made from soil and wood particles, typically found along foundations, walls, or crawl spaces. The presence of these tubes signifies current or very recent termite movement between their nest and a food source.
Another strong indicator of a recent termite swarm and an active colony nearby is the presence of discarded wings. These translucent, scale-like wings are often found in piles near windows, doors, or light sources, as swarmers shed them after their dispersal flights. For drywood termites, small, pellet-like droppings known as frass may be visible near infested wood. While visible wood damage, such as hollow-sounding wood, is a sign of infestation, it often indicates the problem is already well-established.