Termites also known as white ants, feed on cellulose found in wood, paper & cotton in forests. As forests disappear, termites are entering our homes from the soil through walls to eat furniture, structural wood, paper, books, currency notes and even valuable documents kept in safe and lockers. Termites need moisture for their survival, and hence presence of damp walls and water seepage attracts termites.
Termites pass more wind than humans and create methane gas. There are over 2300 species of termites of which about 220 are found in India. Termite infestation and breeding happens under the ground. This makes it difficult for you to spot them. A single termite egg can manifest itself into a colony again in no time. Termites work 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week and never sleep. Like vampires, they don’t like sunlight and can actually die if exposed to it. That’s why they travel in mud tubes and live in nests either below or above ground. Termite queens can live for between 15 and 25 years. A termite queen can lay 40,000 eggs per day. Some termite nests can contain up to 2 million termites.