In some areas, two termite species are common: subterranean and drywood.

Subterranean termites like moisture, and they build mud tunnels typically from the ground up. But you also can find tunnels that hang down or go sideways.

Drywood termites don't need moisture as much, nor do they build tunnels.

"They can live anywhere in the home and don't need to return to the ground every 24 hours,

You'll know you have these termites by their droppings. They look like salt-and-pepper pellets. "You'll see a little pile on the floor,"

Termites typically live in colonies that include a king, a queen, soldiers and workers.

People sometimes confuse them with winged ants. You can tell the difference by looking at the antennae, waist and wings. Termites have broader waists, small veins on wings and straighter antennae.

If you find termites in your home, that means they've made your home their food source,

"The same thing that attracts us to a restaurant - they see our home as a dead tree on top of a granite rock or concrete," he said. "We tend to build our homes on top of their established homes."

Once they're in your home, they often have to be taken out by licensed pest control professionals. The treatment method will depend on the type of termite and the severity of the termite invasion.

With drywood termites, fumigation of the whole house is typical, As for subterranean ones, "it's a liquid chemical that will go into the ground around the perimeter of the home," A dust or baiting process will also be necessary to kill the nest completely

"If they're coming out of the concrete slabs, we will be drilling holes into the concrete and pressure-inject some Termiticide."

There are some things you also can do to make your home less appealing,

For example, keep cardboard boxes away from walls, fix plumbing leaks quickly and make sure water drains away from the house.