Can Termites Survive High Temperatures?
WouterTermites are a group of poikilothermic organisms that have a delicate body structure. This makes them vulnerable to extreme temperatures. They have a preference for warm, moist, and dark environments.
Termites are known to build colonies in wood structures, such as houses and trees. They also use mud tubes to access wood sources. Some termite species are found in the Sonoran Desert in the southwest United States. This is an area that can reach daily temperatures of over 110 degrees.
Some researchers have suggested that the relative humidity is less important than the temperature for subterranean termites. They can still survive if they are exposed to heat by tunneling deeper into the wood.
The ideal temperature for termites is between 75 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it is important to note that they can survive in hot temperatures as long as they find a cool place to live.
For example, termites have been discovered in large wooden objects that appear frozen, although they have not yet damaged the structure. They can even take refuge in a house during the winter.
Some researchers suggest that high soil moisture from sprinkler irrigation may be an ideal habitat for termites around buildings. They can also survive flooding without water entering their tunnels.
Some species of termites have been observed to feed during the winter in midwestern states. Other authors have recorded termite feeding in the winter in northern states. These studies have shown that a single temperature change can drastically affect the survival of termites.
