Termite infestation is a quite concerning problem for house owners since the little pests can slowly eat away the home and even lead to dangerous structural damage in the long run. We know the common ways to spot a termite infestation – mud tubes, minute holes in the furniture, and more. But what about termite droppings? Should you call the termite control professional when you spot termite droppings? This blog answers all the questions you might have about this.

What Are Termite Droppings and What Do They Look Like?

Termite droppings, also known as frass or termite pellets, are the feces of the termites. They contain the digested wood excreted by the termites.

Termite droppings look like piles of sawdust and can vary in color ranging from black to light brown. The size, shape and color of the termite droppings may vary according to the termite species and the wood they infest.

The droppings may resemble pepper, wood shavings, sawdust heaps, or wood-colored ovals. The termites usually leave them in large piles near the infestation sites.

Also Read: What Happens When You Leave a Termite Infestation Untreated?

Do All Termites Produce Termite Droppings?

All termite species produce droppings but it might only be possible to spot some of them.

For example, the subterranean termites that build their colonies underground use mud tubes to travel from different areas of the house to their nests.

Instead of wasting their droppings, this species of termites use them to line the inner space of their mud tubes and nest. The same is the case with dampwood termites. Smart, right?

Drywood termites are the ones that you have to suspect when you find termite droppings in your homes. Drywood termites live inside the wood they infest and they rarely exit the area. To accommodate the growing population, they tend to create holes in the wood they infest and discard the droppings through these holes. Hence, the next time you notice termite droppings on the floor, make sure to inspect your furniture and wooden things for minute and intricate holes.

Is It Possible That the Termite Droppings Are Old and the Termites Are Gone?

You moved a piece of furniture that you haven’t touched in years and you see the termite droppings on the floor. The immediate thing to do is to check the furniture for termite infestation. If you notice the typical signs of drywood termites, then you will need to call a termite control expert immediately.

But in some cases, you might notice the droppings but there would be no signs of termites. This might lead you to believe that the droppings are from an old infestation and that there is nothing to worry about. On the contrary, this is the time to act fast. If you don’t find the termites in proximity to where you found the termite droppings, then chances are that the termite colony may have moved on to another place in your home. This means that your home is infested in multiple places.

Do not waste time and call a professional termite company immediately and book a termite inspection for your home. The termite inspector will know the right places to look into and will soon find the type of infestation and the places of infestation. Then, he will suggest a suitable termite treatment method that will take care of the problem.

Also Read: When to Schedule a Termite Inspection for Your New Home: Early Detection Is the Key

What Are the Common Places That Drywood Termites Infest?

Drywood termites can live without coming out for water and hence can be hard to spot. Given below are some common places that drywood termites infest and the chances that you might find termite droppings in these places if you have a termite infestation are quite high.

• Wooden floorboards
• Attics and crawlspaces
• Wall corners
• Wooden porches
• Carpets

If you find something similar to termite droppings, it might be better to use a magnifying glass to confirm whether they are droppings. Or the best way would be to contact a termite inspection professional immediately and get it checked out.

HiTech Termite Control

Termites in the home have to be dealt with immediately. If you have been looking for a certified and experienced termite company to effectively get rid of the termite problem in your property, then you are at the right place. Visit us here and we will sort it out for you!