termite damage

Termites, a relative to cockroaches, are tiny insects that live in colonies. One of their main food sources is cellulose. Cellulose is found in wood, it contains 45% of cellulose in it. Termites have certain enzymes and microbes in their gut that allow them to break down cellulose. This is how termites start eating wood. This is why termites are often found burring through walls, creating feeding tunnels if the source is large enough and has enough moisture making them great nest sites.