Termites Foraging Food in Cold Weather
Unlike many insects, termites continue to forage for food in colder months.
Cold does slow and restrict termite activities, however. A nest that is established a few years will be maintained at close to 30C and 90% humidity.
Away from the nest, the temperature in the underground tunnels will depend on your local climate (frost prevalence, etc) but the inside of the timbers in your heated or air-conditioned home (they will thank you very much) it could be business as usual.
Termites scouting for new food sources leave the tunnels, usually at night, but there won’t be a lot of scouting at temperatures below say 18C.
Colonies become more active with the onset of warm weather culminating in swarms of termites seeking to set up new homes in early summer, often at dusk after a rainstorm.
Place Monitors Around Your Garden when Weather Turns Warm
Homeowners can control termites by placing termite monitors around their property.
Termites searching for new food sources are highly likely to find the termite monitors. The more you have spread around, the more likely they are to find one.
Once you see the termite “we’ve arrived” signal, add household-safe colony killer termite bait to the termitraps and continue replenishing until the termites are destroyed.
When termites feed regularly at the termite monitors and then you no longer see activity after a month or two, you know the termite bait has done its job of destroying the colony.
Inspect Your Home for Termites in March and September
Control termites by inspecting your home inside and outside for termites at least twice a year. March and September inspections allow you to do the job to your comfort.
It is not so hot up in a roof and not so cold under the house if you have a suspended floor their activity levels.
