Half a million termites were unleashed on a miniature "dream home" by the National Pest Management Association, which set out to document the havoc the pests can wreak.
The tiny house was built by the association in January, complete with chevron-style wood floors, plumbing, a kitchen, balcony and in-ground swimming pool. The subterranean termites were collected throughout February and introduced to the model home in March, according to Fox News.
"Upon introduction, the termites immediately found the structural weaknesses of the foundation, infiltrating cracks in the cement and finding easy access points at the corners of the home where the wood came together," NPMA said in statement.
The termites formed mud tubes to provide cover as they attacked the house.
"Once their mud tubes were formed, the termites went to town on the wood joists and plywood first before moving up into the drywall," NPMA said.
By the end of the experiment, just about all of the floor and wall joists in the tiny home had been devoured.
"The once pristine hardwood floors started to buckle and the structure of the house was a total loss," NPMA said.
The swift destruction demonstrated the need for inspections for termites, the organization added, noting that the pests cause $5 billion in property damage annually.
Watch the latest video at foxnews.com
For more on insects and wood flooring, see these articles from WFB:
Red Oak Floor Suffers From Mysterious Holes
Q&As: Powderpost Beetles
Have You Seen This Creature in Wood Flooring Before?
Powderpost Beetles in Wood Flooring Make the News
