Termites - the unseen buildings’ enemy

Termites are social insect which feed on wood-based products. Living in colonies ranging in 100 to several millions individuals, they have become highly destructive structural pests and can cause serious damage to buildings. Termite cause more damages to structures than natural disasters. In tropical areas, 90% of building can be infested within 3 years of being built. Termites are typically serious in Southeast Asia, because environmental condition suit termite activity all year round and some of the termite species can nest in structures, as well as the ground. The damage caused by termites in Southeast Asia was estimated approximately at US$ 400 million per year (Lee, 2007). The species Coptotermes spp. found in Asia is generally much more damaging as they are capable of consuming more wood and have larger colonies.