The scientific name is Reticulitermes flavipes. As the common name suggests, they generally live under the surface of the ground, out of view.
Termites feed on dead wood material, such as tree stumps or cardboard.
They are always digging exploratory tunnels and scouting for new food sources. Not content to remain at one feeding site they tend to dig numerous foraging tunnels and are able to locate most available wood items within their foraging territory. When the termites find wood material they will begin feeding on it. As termites feed on the wood, they hollow out chambers within it. A large piece of wood, such as a stump or dead tree, will provide a vast amount of food for a termite colony and larger items provide sites for termites to nest and reproduce.