Abstract Subterranean termites are economically important structural pests that rely on soil contact and favorable microclimates, particularly temperature, to sustain foraging and colony activity. This study examined temperature differences between traditional in-ground termite bait stations installed in turfed areas and adjacent core stations cored through construction materials across eight Gulf Coast sites over 14 months. Each site had two stations within 1–3 m of each other, one in standard in-ground turf installation, one cored through construction material, allowing direct temperature comparison at the same location. Core stations consistently maintained significantly higher temperatures than their adjacent in-ground counterparts ( P < 0.001), with concrete and concrete paver cores averaging 3–7 °C warmer. The core stations were warmer and more stable than the in-ground under turf stations, which is particularly relevant in the winter when termite activity is lower due to colder conditions. Strategic placement of core stations cored through concrete or concrete paver surfaces can extend monitoring effectiveness across seasons in a subterranean termite baiting program.
Lightsey et al. (Thu,) studied this question.