Aug 11, 2011 – Too Hot Even For Bugs
QUESTION:
When attic temperatures routinely reach over 125 degrees in summer here in Florida, wouldn't that control many pests such as silverfish, or is it not hot enough?
ANSWER:
I believe that a sustained temperature of 125 degrees would kill just about ANY insect adult, and we know from tests done on bed bugs that even 115 degrees is sufficient to kill all stages of these bugs. But, as bed bugs will do when the temperature starts to rise and become uncomfortable for them, bugs will quickly move to new locations to seek a cooler place to live. This might be an interesting experiment to do - with thermometers check the temperature in various places in an attic, such as on top of the insulation, at the roof level, under the insulation against the sheetrock of the ceiling below, on top of or within light fixtures in the ceilings below, etc. I suspect you would find that the temperature under the insulation would be considerably cooler than above it, due to the cooler air in the living areas below keeping the ceilings cooler, and thus the air space under that insulation cooler as well.
This may just keep it liveable long enough to allow insects to survive until night time temperatures cool it all back down again. They also commonly migrate into wall voids, which often are open at the top and into the attic, so a fast moving insect like a silverfish would have no problem moving rapidly to better places.
View past Ask Mr. Pest Control questions.
When attic temperatures routinely reach over 125 degrees in summer here in Florida, wouldn't that control many pests such as silverfish, or is it not hot enough?
ANSWER:
I believe that a sustained temperature of 125 degrees would kill just about ANY insect adult, and we know from tests done on bed bugs that even 115 degrees is sufficient to kill all stages of these bugs. But, as bed bugs will do when the temperature starts to rise and become uncomfortable for them, bugs will quickly move to new locations to seek a cooler place to live. This might be an interesting experiment to do - with thermometers check the temperature in various places in an attic, such as on top of the insulation, at the roof level, under the insulation against the sheetrock of the ceiling below, on top of or within light fixtures in the ceilings below, etc. I suspect you would find that the temperature under the insulation would be considerably cooler than above it, due to the cooler air in the living areas below keeping the ceilings cooler, and thus the air space under that insulation cooler as well.
This may just keep it liveable long enough to allow insects to survive until night time temperatures cool it all back down again. They also commonly migrate into wall voids, which often are open at the top and into the attic, so a fast moving insect like a silverfish would have no problem moving rapidly to better places.
View past Ask Mr. Pest Control questions.
