Termites are small insects that can cause major damage to wood structures. They live in colonies and feed on cellulose materials like wood, cardboard, paper, etc. Termites thrive in warm, humid environments and are found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. But what happens when termites encounter colder temperatures? Do termites hate the cold? Let’s take a closer look at how termites are affected by cooler climates and lower temperatures.
Termites Prefer Warm Temperatures
Termites are cold-blooded insects whose body temperature and activity levels depend on ambient temperature. They prefer warm conditions between 75-85°F. This optimal temperature range allows termites to efficiently digest cellulose and maintain their colonies.
Cooler temperatures below this range can slow down a termite’s metabolism and activity. Prolonged exposure to temperatures below 50°F is fatal for most termite species. Freezing temperatures are even more detrimental.
Cold Temperatures Impact Termite Physiology and Behavior
When termites face cold conditions, their bodies cannot generate enough heat to keep warm. As their body temperature drops, termites experience:
- Slower metabolism and digestion
- Reduced energy and activity levels
- Difficulty moving around and foraging for food
- Impaired cell functioning and bodily processes
These physiological effects make it harder for termites to go about their regular activities. Cold-stunned termites become sluggish and immobile. They lose coordination and struggle to crawl or fly.
Termite behavior also changes in the cold. When temperatures dip, termites:
- Huddle together in large groups to conserve heat
- Retreat deeper into their nests and tunnels
- Reduce or halt foraging trips out in the open
- Enter diapause, a dormant state similar to hibernation
These behavioral adaptations help termites survive periods of cold weather. But they cannot be maintained indefinitely if freezing conditions persist.
Prolonged Cold Exposure is Fatal for Termites
Termites can only withstand cold temperatures for a limited time before suffering lethal effects:
- After a few days below 50°F, termites become paralyzed and start dying off.
- At temperatures below 32°F, exposed termites will freeze to death relatively quickly.
- Sub-zero temperatures are almost instantly fatal.
The cold makes termites more vulnerable in other ways too. Their slowed activity and reduced feeding causes termites to run low on critical energy reserves. And immobility outside the nest makes them easy targets for predators.
Over time, frigid conditions significantly impair termite colonies. Reproduction declines, development is disrupted, and mortality rates rise. Entire colonies can collapse after prolonged exposure to the cold.
Some Termite Species are More Cold-Tolerant
Not all termites are equally susceptible to chilly temperatures:
- Subterranean termites are better protected from the cold as they nest underground below the frost line.
- Drywood termites are more exposed in their wood nests above ground.
- Dampwood termites have higher cold tolerance than drywoods.
- Termite species native to cooler climates can withstand lower temperatures than tropical species.
In general, termites naturally adapted to regions with cold winters fare better than those from tropical areas when it comes to surviving the cold. Species like the Eastern subterranean termite have higher cold resistance.
But even cold-climate termites have limits. Prolonged freezing temperatures over winter can still damage local termite populations. Their survival depends on finding suitable shelter through the coldest parts of the year.
Termites Use Their Nests to Stay Warm
Termite nests provide insulation and warmth that protects colonies from the outside elements. Different types of termite nests have features that help regulate internal temperature:
Mound nests
- Outer walls made from mud, soil, and termite saliva.
- Small internal chamber size.
- Ventilation ducts for air circulation.
Underground nests
- Built below frost lines deep in the ground.
- Complex network of tunnels and galleries.
- Insulated by surrounding soil.
Wood nests
- Interior cavities provide shelter.
- Outer wood offers additional insulation.
- Narrow access points help contain heat.
The combined body heat generated by the thousands of termites clustered inside also helps keep the core nest temperature elevated. This allows the colony to persist even during cold winter months.
Termites Take Steps to Winterize Their Nests
When cold weather approaches, termites work proactively to winterize their nests:
- Seal up cracks and crevices in the nest exterior to reduce heat loss.
- Build insulating walls and partitions within the interior spaces.
- Move the colony deeper into the nest and closer to the core.
- Modify ventilation ducts to regulate air flow and temperature.
- Line tunnels and chambers with insulation like chewed wood.
Termites will even move their nests altogether if necessary. A colony sensing the onset of winter may relocate their nest to a more protected spot, like further underground.
These winter preparations allow termite colonies to ride out cold spells and survive until warmer weather returns.
Most Termites are Found in Warmer Climates
The adverse effects of cold help explain why termites thrive predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions. Some key examples:
- The highest termite diversity is concentrated around the equator in areas like tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Amazon.
- Brazil alone is home to over 300 different termite species due to its warm, humid climate.
- In the United States, termites are most common in southern warm states like Texas, Florida and California.
The above table summarizes the number of termite species found in different climate zones:
| Climate Zone | # of Termite Species |
|---|---|
| Tropical | Over 2000 |
| Subtropical | Around 600 |
| Temperate | Roughly 100 |
| Cold Polar | Almost none |
As this data shows, termite diversity declines significantly as climates get colder. There are almost no termite species adapted to extremely cold polar climates.
Termites Use Heat Sources to Their Advantage
The reliance on warmth means termites are drawn to heat sources they can exploit:
- Termites intentionally infest the wooden elements around fireplaces, furnaces, and heated baseboards.
- They build nests using insulation inside warm wall voids near HVAC vents.
- Inside homes, termites tend to infest attics and upper floors first as heat rises.
- Massospora fungi infected termites are attracted to the electromagnetic radiation from electronics.
Access to heat like this allows termites to spread into colder environments they otherwise could not survive. Home infestations are more common in cooler climates thanks to central heating providing a comfortable microclimate.
What Temperature Kills Termites?
Different termite species have different cold tolerance levels based on their native climate. But some general temperature thresholds for termite mortality:
- 50°F – Start experiencing paralysis and death after several days of exposure.
- 40°F – Most species begin dying after 7-10 days.
- 32°F – Direct freezing is lethal for exposed termites.
- 10°F to 20°F – Most species will not survive more than one winter night.
- 0°F or below – Almost instantly fatal for all termites.
So while individal termites can survive short periods at very cold temperatures with mixed results, prolonged sub-zero exposure proves deadly for entire termite colonies.
Using Cold Temperatures to Control Termites
The termites’ vulnerability to the cold can be exploited as a non-chemical treatment method:
Heat treatment – Heating infested areas to 130-140°F kills termites within minutes. The high temperature damages their cells beyond repair.
Nitrogen treatment – Flooding termite voids with liquid nitrogen freezes termites solid at -320°F. The extreme cold instantly kills them.
Cold storage – Storing infested items in a freezer below 0°F for at least 3-5 days can eliminate termite colonies.
Winter die-off – In cold climates, sub-freezing winter temperatures naturally reduce outdoor termite populations each year.
However, these thermal treatments have limitations. Heat and cold only penetrate structures so far. Survivors may reinfest if the core nest is not fully exposed. And cold is less effective against subterranean termite colonies insulated underground.
Conclusion
To summarize, termites prefer warm tropical environments and fare poorly when exposed to the cold:
– Cool temperatures below 50°F slow down termites and prolonged freezing is fatal.
– Different species have varying levels of cold tolerance based on their native climate.
– Termites rely on insulated nests and body heat to survive cold spells.
– Most termites live in tropical regions and their diversity declines in colder areas.
– Home heat allows termites to spread to cooler climates using buildings as nest sites.
– Cold treatments like heat, nitrogen, and winter freezes can be used to control termites but have limitations.
So while termites do not prosper in the cold, their negative reaction to lower temperatures can be leveraged as part of an integrated pest management plan. But any survivors must still be accounted for to achieve complete termite elimination.