Termites also known as “white ants”  feed on dead plant material, generally in the form of wood, leaf litter, soil, or animal dung, and about 10% of the estimated 4,000 species (about 2,600 taxonomically known) are economically significant as pests that can cause serious structural damage to buildings, crops or plantation forests. As social insects, termites live in colonies that, at maturity, number from several hundred to several million individuals

Termites are generally grouped according to their feeding behavior. Thus the commonly used general groupings are: Subterranean, Soil-feeding, Dry wood, Damp wood, and Grass-eating. Of these, subterranean's and dry woods are primarily responsible for damage to human-made structures Once termites have entered a building they do not limit themselves just to wood, also damaging paper, cloth, carpets, and other celluloid materials. Termite control is very important to prevent such damages.