Subterranean or ground nesting termites:
These termites are responsible for most of the damages in the buildings. Typically they form nests or colonies under ground, in the soil near the ground leveling a stump or other suitable piece of timber in a conical or dome shaped mound. They cause more than $2 billion in damage each year, more property damage than that caused by fire and windstorm together. In nature, subterranean termites are beneficial. They break down many dead trees and other wooden materials.
Non- subterranean or wood nesting termites:
These termites have no contact with soil. Because of their ability to live in wood without soil contact, non subterranean like the drywood termites, powder post beetles, or dampwood termites ,are frequently carried in infested furniture and other wooden objects. They eat wood in houses, utility poles, furniture and dying trees. They can not digest the cellulose directly They have other microorganisms ,bacteria, in their stomachs that help break down the cellulose which then can be digested by their own metabolism.