Eastern Subterranean Termites:   This is the most prevalent type of termite in North America. Eastern Termites can have colonies upwards of 5 million. Although the average is in the 30 to 40 thousand range. These termites can be found in many parts of the building from the attic rafters to the basement foundation. You can find them by looking for the mud tubes they make, or even by finding the wings of the termite kings and queens lying about. Eastern subterranean termites have a swarm mentality which means they move and act as one entity. They swarm up in the spring months. These termite colonies can live up to 30 years and sometimes can even exist above ground.  

Formosan Subterranean Termites: The Formosan Subterranean Termite can be found in the warmer southern climates of the United States. This termite can consume huge amounts of wood very quickly. The Formosan Subterranean Termite is a very active termite, and spreads quickly. They cause the most damage to structures when compared to other termite species because of their speed at eating wood. If you see bulging walls take immediate action because chances are you have a Formosan Termite infestation.  

Western Subterranean Termites:  The Western Subterranean Termite enters your house by squeezing thru cracks in the foundation and other things. They usually build their colonies underground below the frost line and above the water table. The best way to notice these guys around is to look for their tell-tale tunnels and recognize their swarming behavior. They tend to do most of their damage in the basement and first floor levels of your house. 

Desert Subterranean Termites:  These termites are found in the dry desert climates of the southwest of the United States and into Mexico. These types of termites are unique in that they have long slender mandibles as opposed to the rest which have stout wide ones. Desert Subterranean Termites are the only termite that can burrow and feed under dry conditions. These termites make small mud tube huts that hang from wood ceilings, shelves, overhangs and the like. 

Drywood Termites:  Drywood Termites get their name from the fact that they live in dry wood. There are hundreds of species of Drywood Termites. The United States only have a few. There are the Powderpost termites or more commonly known as "furniture termites". The typical colony of Drywood Termites is relatively small compared to the subterranean termites. There can be multiple colonies in the same house. Unlike the subterranean termites where the colonies live in tubes and huts Drywood Termites live in the wood and tunnel along the grain of the wood. The best way to find these types of termites is to look for their fecal pellets or the fine powdered wood they leave behind.