termite
Cellulose-consuming insect
Termites are small, pale insects that live in colonies and feed on wood and other plant matter.
Often called white ants, they're not actually ants but are more closely related to cockroaches.
Termites cause billions of dollars in structural damage annually by eating wooden buildings from the inside: The inspector found termite damage in the basement.
A termite can also describe someone who quietly undermines from within.
Most powerful chess piece
- workerPerson who toils
- soldierArmed forces member
- casteInherited social division
- nymphNature spirit or larva
brood · mound · nest · gallery · tunnel · chamber · subterranean · superorganism
Harm or impairment
- infestationPest takeover situation
- structuralRelating to building framework
- hollowingMaking concave inside
- frassArthropod excrement and debris
weakening · collapse · repair · rot · dampness · compromised · foundation · joists
Organism breaking down corpses
- detritivoreEats dead organic material
- biodegradationMicrobial breakdown of organics
- humusDecayed organic soil matter
- savannaTropical grassland, sparse trees
One who eradicates vermin
- fumigationDisinfection via airborne chemicals
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- treatmentCare for an ailment
- baitingDeliberately trying to provoke
pesticide · eradication · tenting · Orkin · barrier · borate · prevention · monitoring
Jointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- mandibleLower facial bone
- antennaBroadcast signal receiver
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
hexapod · entomology · chitin · eusocial · metamorphosis · molt · instar · thorax
queen
Most powerful chess piece
nymph · brood · mound · nest · gallery · tunnel · chamber · subterranean · superorganism · pheromones
damage
Harm or impairment
- infestationPest takeover situation
- structuralRelating to building framework
- hollowingMaking concave inside
frass · weakening · collapse · repair · rot · dampness · compromised · foundation · joists · beams
decomposer
Organism breaking down corpses
- detritivoreEats dead organic material
- biodegradationMicrobial breakdown of organics
- humusDecayed organic soil matter
savanna · aardvark · anteater · prey · woodland · deadwood · protozoa
exterminator
One who eradicates vermin
- fumigationDisinfection via airborne chemicals
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- treatmentCare for an ailment
baiting · pesticide · eradication · tenting · Orkin · barrier · borate · prevention · monitoring · warranty
arthropod
Jointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- mandibleLower facial bone
- antennaBroadcast signal receiver
invertebrate · hexapod · entomology · chitin · eusocial · metamorphosis · molt · instar · thorax · abdomen
winged
Having flight appendages
- insectsant, ants, bee, bees, butterfly
- invertebratesinvertebrate, arthropod, arthropods, mollusk, crustacean
- household pestsant, cockroach, roach, housefly, house fly
- swarming insectslocust, desert locust, army ant, driver ant, flying ant
- tiny insectsant, flea, gnat, mite, louse
- crop pestsaphids, aphid, armyworm, beetles, cutworms
termitecarpenter
Timber construction tradesperson
woodworker · builder · preservationist · exterminator · cabinetmaker
termiteexterminator
One who eradicates vermin
pest controller · guardian · protector · home inspector · preservative
- termite moundNest built from soil
- termite damageHarm from wood-eating insects
- termite controlManaging wood-destroying insects
- termite coloniesOrganized wood-destroying insect communities
- termite swarmReproductive colony departure
- termite colonySocial insect superorganism