This Entire City Is Infested With Termites

This Entire City Is Infested With Termites

Here in the United States, we Americans think that we have it bad when it comes to termite infestations. After all, there are several different termite species that are well known for infesting peoples’ homes in the US. It is true that termites cause a tremendous amount of damage in America. However, termites eat the wood in people’s homes in just about every country. Most countries around the world also consider termites to be pests. So termites are not solely an American problem. In fact, there is one small village in the country of India that experiences significant termite related accidents on a regular basis. The village is called Lambari, and it is a part of the Almora district in India.

For years, the villagers of Lambari have been pushing their political representatives to solve the termite crisis that has ruined many lives in Lambari. For well over thirty years just about every wood-made house in Lambari has seen termite damage. Every six to eight months, villagers must work every day in order to repair termite related damage.

Farmers in Lambari are particularly vulnerable to termite activity. For example, one villager’s wood-made shed collapsed onto her buffalo, killing all inside. During 1994, 1998, and 2009, local politicians believed that they had finally secured some funding to help repair termite damage in Lambari, but the higher-ups withdrew this funding each time. The district magistrate eventually tried having termite infestation damage paid for with government funds on the grounds that the termite presence was akin to a natural disaster. Sadly, this tactic did not pay off.

Visiting scientists from major universities have visited Lambari in order to assess the termite presence. It was found that over three quarters of agricultural land had been damaged by termites. Termites have created a vast underground colony that covers the entire village. The village of Lambari is a perfect habitat for termites. For example, moisture levels are high, and all homes are made of wood. Numerous cows produce dung filled with cellulose, which also attracts termites. After repeated pleas for major government handouts, the Indian government simply suggested building homes out of Iron poles as opposed to wood. So the next time you find termite damage in, or near, your home, just be thankful that you are not living in Lambari.

Have you ever heard of an entire neighborhood in America that had become infested with termites? If so, where was the area located?