The answer to 'what is termite' is that a termite is a small insect that lives in colonies and feeds on wood. Termites are known for their ability to cause significant damage to homes and other wooden structures by feeding on the cellulose in wood. They are often referred to as 'silent destroyers' because they can go undetected for long periods of time before the extent of the damage becomes apparent.
Termites are typically divided into two main categories: subterranean termites, which live in the soil and build mud tubes to access the wood in a structure, and drywood termites, which live directly in the wood and do not require contact with the soil. Both types of termites can cause serious problems for homeowners, and it's important to be able to identify the signs of an infestation and take appropriate action to prevent or address the issue.