Termite Behavior in Missouri According to Seasons
Termites have been a nuisance for over 100 million years, meaning they have had plenty of time to perfect their craft. As ancestors of the wood cockroach, these insects have several names you may know them by: white ants, wood bug or maybe flying ants, just to name a few. When it comes to Missouri, our most common species of wood bug is called the Subterranean Termite. As an especially annoying pest- termites have seasons where they are less active, though they are never completely dormant. This means your home is at risk year-round to their movements and activities; which means they’re damaging your wood. In this blog we have compiled a list of behaviors and tell-tale signs of termite activity so you are always one step ahead no matter the season!
Termite Activity in the Winter
Termites are constantly in search for 2 things: food and warmth. One thing that will draw in termites, just like any pest, is leaving out food. With this in mind, be sure to keep those snacks locked away. However, just because it is cold outside does not mean they won’t burrow into warm indoor spaces. Termite activity in the winter is not unheard of. During this time, termites will be drawn to the warm parts of your home’s foundation and walls. Keep an eye out for movement near heaters or anything electric that creates hotspots. From December through February, it is unlikely you will see a swarm of termites, but be aware they are still active if they have already found shelter in your home. From the lowest level of termite activity, we move on to their mating season: spring.
Termite Activity in the Spring
In the spring, you will see termites return in swarms as they reproduce. Rather than sticking to their normal burrowing habits, termites are actually seen swarming above ground in the spring in groups called “swarmers.” This is when the termite may be confused with the flying ant as they fly around outside. Don’t let their unusual behavior trick you, they are still termites, only in their spring form. An early sign of a termite problem is seeing their wings lying near windowsills or other points of entry outside your home, as they shed these wings after they’ve mated.
Another way termites will enter your home in their spring season is through mud tubes. Termites will burrow into the mud and create tunnels to travel between the colony and food sources. Moving on from spring, termite activity continues to rise to its peak season: summer.
Termite Activity in the Summer
Summer is when termites do the most damage as they thrive in the heat. While the reproductive termites are busy during the spring, the worker termites take over in-house during the summer. It is during this time worker termites feed on wood 24 hours a day, non-stop. This means an entire colony of worker termites can do a lot of damage to your home. So how do you stop them? While termites thrive in the warmer weather, they will do everything to avoid light, hence the burrowing. If you did not see the signs of a spring colony before it entered your home, check for small holes, warped and soft wood within your home to indicate their presence. Check crawl spaces and other underground entrances of your home as those will be their easiest points of access. Luckily, this busy phase of termite activity does not last. Fall brings about the decline of peak termite season.
Termite Activity in the Fall
Termite activity will decline in the fall, however the queens will continue to lay eggs. This means the colony may become less active, yet will still be growing. Although the probability of damage is less likely in the fall, it is important to stay mindful of their presence. Continue to look for signs such as holes in wood, warped wood surface and soft spots in walls and foundation. From here, the cycle repeats itself every year – going from almost dormant to highly active in a matter of months. Be aware of the changing seasons and the termite behavior that accompanies them!
Why Bug Out Should Be Your Year-Round Termite Exterminator
Bug Out has had years to perfect our service in termite treatment and control . We know the patterns and behaviors of termites throughout every season, meaning we know what to look for when you suspect a problem. This dedication to our termite control make us experts in the business and therefore the best choice for termite treatment in mid-Missouri!