Of all the numerous species of insects in this world, no insect affects man made infrastructure more than termites. Termites cause hundreds of millions of damage to property worldwide. At the same time, they are some of the most interesting insects in the world.
Termites can build spectacular nests on a scale no other insect can rival. They are probably the greatest builders of the animal kingdom. Some parts of grassland plains have so many large termite mounds that they can be seen from high up in the air.
All in all, there are thousands of species of termites known to man, but very little is known of their habits and biology. Only a few species are confirmed pests, and these normally make their home deep in the ground. These termites are generally referred to as subterranean termites. Subterranean termites should not be confused with other types of termites, like those that make their nests above ground or within wood.
