Could Termites Survive a Nuclear Blast?

This piece is not meant to be alarmist. Tests show that even though beetles are six to 15 times more radiation-resistant than humans, they will still die from exposure. While cockroaches are considered to be the ultimate survivors, able to survive high amounts of radiation, they are not the only creatures who might survive a nuclear event.

It is true that there is a well-known myth that termites could survive a nuclear explosion, but in the contemporary setting, there is no way of proving it. Scientific data has shown that termites can survive up to 10 times as much radiation as humans, and they are still capable of reproducing. So, it is safe to say if beetles cannot withstand a nuclear explosion or event, termites cannot either. In summary, the answer to that question is NO; termites cannot survive a nuclear explosion, nor can they survive any other type of ionizing radiation, in todays setting.

On the other hand, beetles have been tested for radiation tolerance, and they are found to be capable of withstanding enormous amounts of radiation. In fact, some cockroaches have even survived a nuclear explosion in 1945 in Japan. Although it has become a common trope for termites to be able to survive anything, scientists actually tested the effects of direct nuclear weapons exposure on termites, finding they were killed instead of surviving the explosions.

In one episode of Mythbusters, an American television series, termites are exposed to the same kind of radiation humans will be exposed to during a nuclear explosion. While some cockroaches survived, many died, and those that did survive did not lay viable eggs, thereby making it impossible for them to survive further. This makes it appear probable that termites could not survive a nuclear explosion.

However, if certain species of beetles were actually able to survive the nuclear apocalypse, it is entirely possible that termites might too. This is because only a tiny fraction of the worlds inhabitants would cease to exist, and those who did survive were able to continue living and reproducing, even though they were severely dehydrated and starved. Given all the things that a global ecosystem is resilient to radiation, heat exposure, and the other effects of nuclear bomb blasts, it seems possible that certain species of termites might have survived an immediate impact of a nuclear bomb. In fact, 30 species were found at the sites of the A-bomb tests where all other species were destroyed; that indicates life could continue to exist even following catastrophic events like nuclear bomb explosions.

When nuclear bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II, adult beetles were not seen within the original blast zones. However, despite radiation reaching as far as 15 miles away from Ground Zero, the cockroaches managed to survive and existed as healthy populations. It is thought that because of their thick exoskeletons and slower metabolism compared to other insects, the scales of the scales are able to cope with the presence of the scales more easily than smaller insects such as termites.

Not only can they survive an initial explosion, they are protected from being affected by subsequent radiation fallout. Termites could not have survived the nuclear explosion as easily as Roaches due to their frailer exoskeletons and faster metabolism. When a megaton bomb is dropped in a region, it would wipe out every bug within the radius of its detonation in minutes; that includes termites, which are known to live inside wooden structures located close to Ground Zero.

Despite their inherent superpowers, termites cannot tolerate as much radiation as beetles. The cockroachs ability to survive a nuclear explosion has been tested, and it has proven that it is tougher than other house insects. This is because cockroaches have a thicker shell, which is tougher against radiation than other insects. They also can withstand greater amounts of radiation than most other insects. Some even think that if you dropped a nuclear bomb on them, they would be able to survive.

This is because of their excellent radiation tolerance, allowing them to survive environments with high levels of fallout radiation. While this is true of adult beetles, their eggs are less resilient and would likely not survive a nuclear explosion. The cockroaches, which are most well-known among insects because of their survival abilities under any conditions, breath through tiny holes in the segments of their bodies, helping them survive much less radiation than humans. Other insects, such as the Wood Boring Insect and the humble Fruit Fly, did not do as well in earlier tests. In comparison, beetles can tolerate 15 times as much radiation as humans.

INTERESTING FACT - Termites are not unlike other insects in that they eat wood and they have an open circulation system. Learn more about the inner workings of termite species in Arizona and how they feed, breed and live.
For more information about, please visit: Pest-Termite Control Management Solutions, Study of Flowers and Landscaping, Non-GMO Food, Homemade Pest Control Solutions, Pest Control Technology, History of Carpet Flooring, History of Carpet Wool, Science of Cleaning and Happiness, Information about Bed Bugs, History of the Locksmith, Carpet Cleaning and Water Damage Restoration, History of Flooring Manufacturing in America, History of the Garage Door, Mechanics of a Garage Door, History of Plumbing, Homemade Water Filter Systems, The Mechanics of a Garage Door, Drywood Termites and Dark Rover Ants, Termite Control - A Guide for Homeowners, Carpet and Flooring Installation, Honesty in Plumbing, Garage Door Mechanic, History of Kitchen Appliances, Home Decor Ideas, Pest Control Service, Termite Control Service, Pesticide, Insecticide and Termiticide