Unlike most creatures that sleep or rest, termites are almost always active. They do not sleep and will continue to work away 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are certain times during the year when termites may be more active than others, however, so in this article we will focus on those.
How does temperature affect termites?
Termite activity rates depend a lot on the temperature of their environment. They will slow down and avoid foraging as much when it is too hot or too cold. Research suggests that the ideal temperature range for termites is between 24-38 degrees celcius. Along the Sunshine Coast and other areas of the world where there are very few weeks of cold weather, termite activity is fairly consistent, and they are a year-round problem.
However, in many areas of the world that experience much colder weather, the warmer summer months will see much more termite activity, and in the winter it will slow down significantly. To help regulate the temperature, subterranean termites will migrate deeper into the earth. This means that less termite infestations typically begin during the winter. If the termites are already in the walls or foundation of a home, however, they will not be greatly affected by temperature and will continue to chomp away.
Is there a termite season?
Many people believe that there is a season for termites, but as mentioned above, in many parts of the world, they are always active. The idea of a termite season is likely based on when they swarm. When it is time for termites to seek out a mate, the reproductives will swarm together. The time of year when swarming occurs depends a lot on the species of termite involved. Subterranean termites often swarm during the spring and summer months, while drywood termites prefer late summer or autumn.
Reproductive swarms are when termites are easiest to see because they are out in the open, so people assume this is when they are most active. These swarms provide a visible warning or reminder that termites are in the area, but their presence or absence does not mean the worker termites are not going about their business as usual… all day, every day.
Termite Control
Since termites don’t sleep and are a year-round problem on the Sunshine Coast, it is extremely important that every household have a termite control plan in place. This should include inspections by a termite professional at least yearly, and ideally other forms of termite control like a termite barrier or a bait system. If you are looking for the best termite control on the Sunshine Coast, look no further than Radar Pest Control. Our team of experts will take care of your home and keep it termite-free.