Termites Can Be A Year-Round Threat In Colorado

Even though Denver and other parts of Colorado haven’t received as much snow as usual this year, it’s still cold out and you’d think that would be enough to keep termites away. Unfortunately, that’s not exactly true. Sure, you’re not going to have termite swarmers showing up any time soon, but that doesn’t mean these wood-destroying insects aren’t targeting your home. Let's take a closer look at these wood-destroying pests and their winter habits.

Subterranean termites are always working

The most destructive termite in the United States is the subterranean termite. These insects tend to live in the soil near a home and build mud tunnels up foundations and walls to go in and out of a structure continually.

Subterranean termites are organisms that are so simple in their design they do not need to sleep and recover their energy. That means they are able to work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year without ceasing. What do they do for work? These creatures have a beneficial role in nature; they eat dead wood and return it to the soil as fertilizer. But inside your home, they are far from beneficial. These wood eaters weaken support structures, warp studs, and cause damage that is sometimes expensive to fix and not usually covered by homeowner’s insurance. The worst part is, we have subterranean termites in Colorado.

What are the signs of a termite infestation?

As we mentioned above, termite mud tunnels, also called mud tubes, are a sure sign of a termite infestation. There are other signs though. Click here for more signs of termites.

Doesn’t winter slow termites down?

What happens to subterranean termites during winter in Denver, Boulder, and throughout Colorado? The ideal temperature for these cold-blooded insects is above 75°F. So, when temperatures in the soil begin to drop, many will retreat to their colonies, deep in the ground, and wait for things to warm up. And, when the ground freezes, it is too cold and too hard for worker termites to burrow through.

There are exceptions, however. While termites are less active during the colder months, they can remain active in heated homes and other structures where temperatures are maintained.

What should property owners do if they suspect termite activity?

If you’re worried about the possibility of a termite problem in your home, contact a pest control company that specializes in termite control right away! There’s no reason to wait and every reason to seek professional help at the first sign of a problem. Termites will not cause damage overnight, but they will not stop eating away at wood once they’ve made it inside.

How EnviroPest protects your home from termites all year long

How does EnviroPest protect Colorado homes from termite damage? Whether termites are waiting deep in the soil to start eating your home as soon as it gets warmer, or there’s an active colony right under your roof, it is important to have year-round termite protection in place.  

Here at EnviroPest, we stop termites from damaging homes and other structures using Trelona® ATBS Annual Bait Stations. This proven long-lasting protection is an advanced termite baiting solution that not only addresses existing termite activity by targeting foraging insects, but by exterminating entire termite colonies!

Request a termite quote today, or give us a shout if you have more questions about termites!

This blog was originally published 2/05/16; it has been updated to reflect the most up to date information about termites.