Are Termites Active During Winter Months?

When the temperature drops and winter settles in, most people assume that pests like termites disappear until spring. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. While termite activity may slow during colder months, they remain a threat to Australian homes all year round—just in a less visible way.

Understanding termite behaviour in winter is essential for homeowners who want to protect their property from structural damage. Termites may become harder to detect in winter, but they certainly don’t disappear. In fact, their ability to operate undetected during colder weather makes them even more dangerous.

Types of Termites Found in Cold Weather

Not all termite species behave the same way in winter. In Australia, the most commonly encountered species during colder months include:

• Subterranean termites – These are the most widespread and destructive. They build large underground nests and stay active year-round, often feeding unnoticed within walls and subfloors. 
• Drywood termites – These termites nest directly inside timber and don’t need contact with the ground. They’re commonly found in roof voids, furniture, and wood panelling. Their activity can continue through winter, especially in well-insulated areas. 
• Dampwood termites – Typically found in water-damaged wood or moist environments. While less common in urban homes, they can survive winter in humid spaces such as garden sleepers or rotting timbers. 

Recognising the differences between these termite types helps pest professionals apply the most effective termite treatment based on the species and location.

Behaviour of Termites in Winter

Termites are cold-blooded insects, which means their activity depends heavily on the surrounding temperature. In summer, they’re highly active and visible. But during winter, especially in cooler parts of Australia like Victoria or southern New South Wales, their movements become more concealed.

Rather than foraging out in the open, termites stay within their established tunnels and nests where the conditions are warmer and more stable. Subterranean termites—the most common and destructive species in Australia—build their colonies deep underground or inside the walls and flooring of buildings. These locations shield them from surface cold and allow the colony to continue feeding and reproducing.

It’s a common misconception that winter means a break from pest concerns. In reality, termite pest control is a year-round necessity because their behaviour simply shifts rather than stops.

CSIRO’s Managing Termites guide (PDF) offers detailed advice on termite biology, inspection techniques, and long-term protection strategies for Australian homes.

How Termites Handle Cold Weather?

Termites have adapted well to Australia’s seasonal changes. In winter, they stay inside their nests, feeding on wood and cellulose without needing to venture far. Their tunnels and galleries provide insulation from the cold, and the warmth from your home’s interior can make conditions ideal for continued activity.

Subterranean termites, in particular, are experts at moisture management. Their mud tubes and underground nests retain humidity and heat, allowing them to keep functioning even when surface temperatures drop. In some cases, they may actually move deeper into structures during winter, pushing further into warmer interior spaces.

Drywood termites, which don’t require soil contact to survive, stay deep inside timber where temperature changes are minimal. These species are often found in roof voids, furniture, and wall framing. While they’re less common than subterranean types in colder regions, they remain active inside well-insulated areas of the home.

Dampwood termites are typically found in decaying or moisture-rich wood, such as fallen logs, stumps, or poorly ventilated timber structures. Although they prefer humid environments and are more common in tropical climates, dampwood termites can persist in wet, sheltered areas during winter and continue to feed if conditions are right.

This hidden behaviour makes regular termite inspections essential—even in winter. What you can’t see can still cause damage, which is why ongoing termite control should not be put on hold.

Do Termites Die in Winter?

No, termites do not die off in winter. Unlike some insects that hibernate or become dormant, termites simply retreat to protected spaces where temperature and moisture remain stable. Subterranean termites, drywood termites, and even dampwood termites can continue operating through colder months, provided their environment stays humid and warm.

Their survival strategy is based on avoidance rather than dormancy. As long as they have access to food (your timber) and moisture, they will continue to thrive. This makes them a persistent threat, regardless of the season.

Signs of Termites During Winter

Spotting termites in winter can be more difficult, but it’s not impossible. You just need to know what to look for. Here are some of the common signs that termites may still be active in your home during the colder months:

• Mud tubes on exterior walls, foundations or subfloors
• Hollow-sounding timber when tapped
• Frass (termite droppings) near window sills or baseboards
• Warped door or window frames
• Tight-fitting doors or windows caused by termite tunnelling and moisture buildup
• Quiet clicking sounds in walls, often caused by soldier termites alerting the colony to threats

Even if termites are out of sight, these subtle clues can signal a much larger problem developing out of view.

How to Prevent Termites During Winter?

While termite treatment is effective in any season, prevention is always better than cure. During winter, a few simple steps can make your home less appealing to termites:

• Eliminate moisture sources – Fix leaking taps, gutters, or drainage systems that cause dampness around your foundations. 
• Store timber off the ground – Keep firewood and timber at least 20cm off the ground and away from the house. 
• Remove garden debris – Clear mulch, tree stumps and dead branches near the structure. 
• Check subfloors and crawl spaces – Ensure proper ventilation and inspect for signs of mud tubes or water buildup. 
• Schedule a professional inspection – A termite specialist can assess vulnerable areas and detect hidden infestations.

Preventative termite treatment, such as chemical barriers or monitoring stations, can be installed any time of year. Acting during winter helps avoid a larger infestation come spring.

The Risks of Ignoring Winter Termite Activity

One of the biggest dangers with termites during winter is the false sense of security they create. Because you don’t see them, it’s easy to assume they’re not active. But by the time you notice visible damage in warmer months, the colony may have been active for months—undetected and unchecked.

Left untreated, termites can cause extensive structural damage. They feed non-stop, day and night, hollowing out beams, floorboards, and wall supports from the inside. Ignoring their presence during winter allows the colony to grow and spread without interruption.

Early intervention saves time, money, and stress. That’s why professional termite control should be a year-round priority, not just a summer concern.

Final Thoughts

So, are termites active during winter months? Absolutely. While they may slow down or become harder to detect, they remain active within walls, underground, and inside timber structures. Their ability to survive cold conditions—and continue causing damage—makes winter an ideal time for prevention and inspection.

Whether it’s drywood termites inside your roof, dampwood termites in your yard, or a subterranean colony under your home, ignoring their presence could lead to costly damage. Schedule a professional inspection, keep your home dry and well-ventilated, and consider long-term termite pest control strategies that offer protection throughout the year.

If you’re concerned about termite activity in your home, now is the time to act. Don’t wait until visible damage appears—stay ahead of the problem by understanding their winter behaviour and protecting your home accordingly.

Book a professional termite inspection today with a trusted local team. Contact Pest-Ex to get started.