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Q: I’m worried my house has termites. How can I tell if what I found is termite droppings? Is it possible that there is old termite droppings but no termites?
A: Termite droppings signal an active termite nest in the house. Termite droppings — also known as termite pellets, termite dust, termite droppings, or termite droppings — often look like piles of sawdust or pepper. Termite droppings can vary depending on the species of termite that left it. However, termites generally resemble tiny, wood-colored ovals (ranging in hue from black to tan) and typically do not exceed 0.04 inches in length. Unfortunately, termite droppings don’t wear off over time, making it difficult to tell how long a dropping pile has been there. For homeowners concerned about termites in their home, this handy guide provides information about termites, their droppings, and what to do about them.
Termite droppings or frass is located near a termite nest.
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Termites – especially drywood termites – prefer their habitats free of faeces, so they create “ejection” holes in the wood to get rid of their faeces. The kick out holes are small and never used as an entrance. If a homeowner finds a kickout hole with termite droppings but no termites, that doesn’t mean the infestation is gone. Often the opposite is true: the termites have most likely moved to another part of the house, wall, or room to find more food.
Termite droppings are removed near a termite nest for both drywood and underground termite infestations. However, homeowners will have trouble finding underground termite droppings versus drywood termite feeding because underground termites use their droppings to create mud tunnels rather than a feeding pile.
Drywood termite droppings are small and oval with six concave sides.
Drywood termites live in wood and almost never leave once they have found a home. Once the termite has chosen its spot, it seals the entrance and begins digging. As a result, homeowners may have difficulty finding signs of infestation outside of drywood termite droppings and ejection holes.
Drywood termite droppings are oval in shape and look like grains of sand, ground pepper, or sawdust. The color of termite damage on dry wood changes depending on the type of wood that the termite eats. Homeowners should reckon that the dry frass is only a millimeter in size and has six concave sides.
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Common places to look for a drywood termite infestation or drywood termite kickout holes include:
- wooden porches.
- Between wooden floorboards.
- Holes in the carpet (or under the carpet).
- corners of walls.
- attics and crawl spaces.
When examining a potential termite dump, homeowners may choose to use a magnifying glass to clearly see the properties of the termite pellets.
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Termite droppings resemble piles of sawdust, which is another sign of termite infestation.
As mentioned above, drywood termites use kick-out holes to keep their droppings out of their habitat. Dampwood termites, which behave similarly to drywood termites, use their pellets to seal the wood galleries they eat through. Finding damaged wood and nearby piles of termite droppings remains the best clue to a termite infestation. Signs of a termite infestation include piles of sawdust, damaged wood, and swarms of winged termites.
Homeowners should also consider unusual insect behavior and patterns as a sign of a termite infestation. Although they can be confused with winged ants, winged termites are a precursor to the start of a new termite colony. “Swarmers” can also indicate the presence of an existing colony, as these winged termites left their original community to start a new one.
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Subterranean termites do not usually leave visible feces.
Subterranean termites do what their name suggests – they burrow underground and later infest a house. Between drywood and underground termites, the latter have the potential to do more damage.
Because underground termites leave no visible feces, homeowners should know what to look for if they are concerned about termites. Three signs of an underground termite infestation are:
- Swarms of winged termites.
- Pile of discarded termite wings.
- Damaged wood.
If underground termites don’t leave visible feces, what do their pellets look like? Unlike drywood termites, underground termite droppings are wet—a mixture of saliva, dirt, and debris—and are used to create mud tunnels. These mud tunnels become a route for the termite colony to ravage foundations, walls and more. Underground termites prefer warm, humid climates and can congregate in empty spaces, around leaky pipes, and other normally inaccessible routes into a home.
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At the first sign of termites, such as termite droppings, contact a pest controller.
Wondering what to do about termite droppings? A homeowner’s first action should be to contact a pest control company. Since many home insurance policies don’t cover termite damage, it’s even more important to address the problem as soon as it’s noticed.
Pest control companies begin by inspecting a home or property to analyze the extent of the damage and identify the termite species. Then they’re likely to create a customized treatment plan that may include fluids, foam or bait, and monitoring solutions. Some pest control companies use chemical solutions, fumigation, or tenting and heat.
Termite inspections can cost anywhere from $50 to $300 depending on the situation where a homeowner lives and available pest control specialists. New homebuyers should consider a termite inspection before moving in to ensure the foundation and walls of their new home are solid.
Termite treatment costs vary widely depending on individual plans and pest control providers. Other cost considerations in treatments include structural damage to repair and possible reinfestation.
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