Nest Types

• Termites build five types of nests: ground mounds, subterranean nests, inside trees, on poles (on a telephone pole, for instance) and on the outside of, but connected to, tree foliage. There is no clear distinction between the species involved and the nest type -- species can and do build more than one type of nest (called termitariums), according to the Australian Museum.
  
  

Arboreal Nests

• Most termites found in the United States build nests underground or inside wood, and tropical termites typically construct mounds or hang their nests in trees -- called arboreal nests -- although termites are entering the U.S. and building tree nests. Arboreal nests, like other nests, are built by sterile female worker termites. They use chewed wood, saliva and even feces -- a mixture called carton -- to make their home.
  
  

Nest Life

• Arboreal nests, like other kinds of termite nests, exist to protect all members -- the king and queen, along with the workers and the sterile male "soldier" termites. However, workers and soldiers must venture out to find food -- wood -- which is often found on the forest floor, in the case of arboreal termites. To protect them from exposure to predators, they build shelter tubes that run up and down tree trunks. Made of soil, feces and other plant debris, these covered passageways aid the termite's survival.