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How Temperature Affects Termites

Termites are highly sensitive to temperature; both extreme heat and cold significantly impact their survivaltion.

1/2/20261 min read

Infographic showing termite temperature tolerance: active above 40°C, protein damage at 45°C, activi

Termites are highly sensitive to temperature; both extreme heat and cold significantly impact their survival.

Above 40°C: Termites begin to show signs of distress and agitation.
Above 45°C: While they might withstand these temperatures for a very short period, prolonged exposure is fatal. High heat denatures their proteins, leading to biological failure and death.
Below 10°C: Termite activity noticeably decreases as their metabolism slows down.
Below 5°C: They essentially enter a state of dormancy and stop almost all physical activity.
Around 0°C: Survival becomes very difficult. At this point, their cells may suffer irreversible damage due to freezing.

Survival Strategy: To survive the winter, termites often retreat deep into the center of their mounds or underground nests, where temperatures remain more stable and warmer than the outside air.