Subterranean termites live underground or in protected areas such as wood.
The total number of individuals in a colony of subterranean termites may be more than a million. Most people never see a queen, but may have seen swarmers or workers. Swarmers are the termites that have wings. They are also known as reproductives because their purpose is to swarm away from the colony and start a new colony in a new area. Often swarmers are a sign of infestation.