“When is termite season?” sometimes you hear people ask, or wonder yourself. The answer is there is no set time for a “termite season” to begin or end because termites are active all year round. But there is a time of the year that termites are more visible, some might call it “termite swarming season” which can generally coincides with baseball season (March to November). It really depends on the climate.
Termites are insects and like most insects they are more active in warmer climates so in areas like Southern California they can be a problem all year round. In colder climates they are most active in the spring and summer but just because it’s cold doesn’t mean they can’t cause damage. Although termites may slow down in colder climates in the winter, they aren’t completely inactive and can still cause damage.
Weather is not the only factor affecting termite activity, it can also be a matter of the local environment. Termites are resilient creatures and they will seek shelter and warmth. Drywood termites for example located inside a warm home are not exposed to temperature variations so seasonal weather changes will not impact them as much. Subterranean termites may create nests up to 18 inches below ground and away from the cool air. An environment with a regulated temperature like your basement can provide the perfect shelter from the cool weather.
So in the end it doesn’t really matter what time of year it is, termites can damage your house any time. Although termites typically are not visible year round there can be signs of an infestation. Sometimes discarded wings or droppings can be a sign. If you see signs or even suspect that you may have termites, contact a pest control professional. A qualified termite specialist is trained to identify the signs of a termite infestation, even when activity is not very visible.