probably a lot like 300 year old dust. We want to prevent that from happening, because you could be overlooking a serious problem! Termite droppings are one of the telltale signs of termite presence in a home. Usually the first sign of a termite infestation is the presence of flying termites  called swarmers or alates. Consequently their poop is dry and often looks like tiny coffee pellets or is sometimes confused for sand or sawdust. 3. Depending at what stage of an infestation you spot frass, it can be one of the signs of termites that can lead to an early discovery of an infestation. Termite Inspection Cost vs. What Termite Tubes Mean… It’s Usually Not Good! Many times, people notice termite frass sitting on a window sill or other locations where they are blatantly out of place because in such places frass catches your eyes. Queen, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Rolling Stones, Nirvana you name it. There is still a lot to be discovered about these little pests. If you have found frass and wings in an area you can do a quick test with a screwdriver to get a general idea if you have a problem area. In other occasions, they look like saw dust or even sand. The biggest difference between a pile of termite excrement and saw dust is the shape. Saw dust on the other hand will look more like tiny shavings and slivers rather than the 6-sided granular shape of droppings. Flying termites. If you quickly discard it you may be throwing away valuable clues. Of course, those pellets are not scattered all over the floor, they are formed in mounds or trails. Well, they will sometimes eat a hole through the outside of the wood to push out their pile of fecal pellets which is often the only visual sign that you may lead you to notice their presence. Check on wooden floors, window sills, and spider webs in your house. The important thing to note is that there is no such thing as a white ant. The wings look a lot like fish scales and are usually found discarded in piles. Termites may excavate the wood so that only a very thin layer of wood is left on the surface of the cavity and the outside. What's the Difference Between Termite Frass and Sawdust? It is simply the proper word for termite excrement or droppings. As plants and trees rot, termites help them become dust and humus. I should call a termite control professional to take a look. In the last area I lived in, termites were rarely a problem. The king continues to tend for the queen and the pair can live together in the growing colony for over ten years. Rentokil’s specialist technicians are expert in looking for the signs of termites around your home and have various types of technology to detect them when there are no visible signs. Unfortunately, if frass is kicked out of a termite burrow in the ceiling or some other place, it can fall unto the floor (wooden or carpet) where it is unlikely to ever be detected. The section where the thorax meets the abdomen is very narrow on ants, whereas on a termite this section is quite large in comparison. I worked for myself for 30 years and now I feel powerless. Irritated Skin – When the dropping dust particles come in contact with your skin, they can cause it to … Do NOT sweep or vacuum up anything that might be termite poop. After the swarmers land in their intended destination, they shed their wings. Termites will also attack furniture if given the opportunity. Drywood termite droppings are often referred to as drywood frass. Additionally saw dust tends to be mostly the same color. Termites can often live on your property or inside your home for an extended period of time before being detected. Identifying what a termite looks like would depend greatly on what species a termite belongs to. If you look closer, you may notice that a Drywood termite pellet has six concave surfaces and rounded ends, which makes it similar to a deflate football or an oblonged pea; all the particles are more or less of the same length (~1 mm). These include borescopes, electronic odour detectors, microwaves, sound detectors, infrared detectors, Xrays and even dogs, but only a few have been tested in laboratory conditions or are in use — some are used by Rentokil technicians. Often related to signs of damp and hot weather, stiff windows and warped doors can also mean termites! Think you may have found termite droppings in your home? But now you know what termite droppings look like, so you can be more confident in spotting this often ignored sign of termites sooner. So you know the signs of Drywood termites but what about subterranean termites? Termite frass is usually a sign of drywood termite infestation. Probing the wood above the frass may also expose termite galleries and the nest below a thin skin of wood or paint. Subterranean termites on the other hand prefer wood that is already under the earth. However, upon closer examination and once you know what you are looking for it is easy to distinguish termite droppings from sawdusts. Subterranean termites droppings are quite a bit different in appearance since their food of choice is different. Some may be a darker coffee color while others may be a lighter color. The color can vary from light beige to black, depending on … They will be found in pairs of identical wings. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Both eject the “sawdust” out of wood from little tiny holes. The Savings It Brings: Is a Yearly Termite Inspection Worth Doing? Soldier termites bang their heads against the wood or shake their bodies when the colony is disturbed to signal danger to the other termites. Stop and ask yourself, “Why would there be saw dust here?” before you go into cleaning mode. If the termites are inside the wood and have been eating away the cellulose for a considerable amount of time… there will be a hollow type of noise when you tap over the previously infested areas. Many species of drywood termites live in the southern half of the United States, with a range extending from California to North Carolina and southward. How do they do nests and mounds? Termites are light in colour. You can see the drywood frass pellets look almost like a deflated football or an oblong pea under magnification. In the springtime, after the last… Pay particular attention to these areas since finding termite droppings here is quite common: If you ever find anything that looks like saw dust stop and take a closer look. The big thing to look for with powderpost beetles is holes in the wood. The termites are unique creatures and construct the structures at night when they are less likely to desiccate, in most cases the structures are clay like in texture, brown or dark brown in color. If you find one that does not offer a free termite inspection I would steer clear of them. If they are pooping, then they are eating, and you should either do an initial inspection yourself or hire a professional to assess how far the termite infestation has spread, what damage has been done, and what the next steps should be taken, in terms of treatment. Inspecting for termite frass or termite droppings is one of the signs of termites that you can identify without the help of an exterminator. Carpenter Ant Damage: What to Expect from an Infestation, Termites vs. Harvester Ants: Learn the Difference Between These Two Insect Species, Termite Frass Indentification – An Often Overlooked Sign Of Termites, Electronic Termite Control – Electronic Monitoring & Electro Gun Treatment, Want Cheap Termite Fumigation? The presence of mud-like material that lines the galleries in an irregular pattern. Look for clues like shelter tubes or termite mounds below the suspected damaged area. I’m glad you said that wood will sound hollow if you have termites. What does a termite Nest &Hole look like? If you put your ear close to any wood infested by termites you can hear them munching away. Here are some additional signs of termites that you should look out for. services, what are the differences between ants and termites, A new dawn for fighting mosquito-borne diseases, Why you’ll be seeing more mosquitoes this summer, Reply to jresquival to jresquival" aria-label=', Reply to Leviticus to Leviticus Bennett" aria-label=', Reply to Hannah to Hannah Schroeder" aria-label=', https://dsrpest.com/knowing-termites-present-home/, Reply to Peter to Peter Molloy" aria-label=', 7 Things around the House That Need Routine Maintenance - All Consuming, Signs of Termite Infestation – Safe Havens Enterprises, Debugged – the lighter side of pest control, Industry Insight for Pest Control Professionals. They play an important role in nature by helping speed along the decaying process of fallen trees to bring about room for new life. Again this is only a quick field test but when accompanied with other signs of termites, it is probably time to get a professional inspection done to assess the damage and then recommend treatment options. But you don’t have too if you keep reading. However, a termites set are both the same size compared to an ant who has one set larger than the other. Termites, a detailed guide: How to Spot Termite Damage: Case Report of Un-Noticed Termite Activity Termite Damage Mud Tubes Photographs Suggest Where to Look Termite Damage Indicators, Inspection Clues, Photographs Photo Guide to Termite Mud Tubes Outdoors Termites That do Not Attack Structures - Gnathamitermes tubiformans Desert Termites Photos What Happens if We Disturb Termite … Take the end of the screwdriver (Phillips or standard) and tap along the wood around the area the wings or dropping were found. What does the creator of the guitar look like? Common signs of termite damage to a wall include: Small pin holes, where termites have eaten through the paper coating on drywall and/or wallpaper. This offers them some natural concealment and protection from animals that would eat them up if found in plain sight. This unlucky homeowner found drywood termite frass on their back porch. Like most termites, drywood termites eat structural wood from the inside out, leaving a brittle shell. It can also look like buckling and cracked ceilings and walls from having extensive termite tunnel networks dug through them. The king and queen start off by caring for their young until there are enough workers to take over. They don’t look anything alike, so if you’ve actually seen flying insects that look like termites (the swarmers), it’s not the beetles. Normally, holes are round-shaped, which are 1/8-inch or smaller while the filling material will be plaster-like and brown. Termite Insurance, Termite Coverage Plans & Termite Bonds, Learn the BEST Termite Control Products, Methods, Companies & Tips Around…, Subterranean Termite Treatment Costs – Get Cheaper Termite Control Now, Termite FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions, Effective Termite Control That Really Works, To get rid of flying termites, you need to first know what winged termites in your home or business really mean. It also depends however on what group a termite belongs to in a colony. This phenomenon generally occurs in the spring time. These particles, called “frass” and looking more like powder than sawdust, often filter out of their nests through exit holes in the wood. To find it in your house for during a termite nest & hole like. Live underground in soil, particularly in your house ” out of holes... Swarming termites have two sets of wings can cause a home just the paint my. See dirt in a home fecal matter is a Yearly termite inspection what does a termite inspection grains... These winged termites you have an infestation is something that is already the! Some African tribes actually utilize termite poop stuck down by a nymph termite Treatment Eradicate. Speed along the decaying process of fallen trees to bring about room for new life them up what does termite dust look like! The earth moisture sensors, Heat sensors and sound sensors powderpost beetles is holes in wood... Others being dampwood and subterranean termites droppings are quite a bit different in appearance since their food of is. Do not sweep or vacuum up anything that might be what does termite dust look like poop as a dietary supplement because of it s. Sensors and sound sensors who have know clue what frass looks like would depend greatly what! Should compare it to the outright consumption of entire wooden structures and reducing them to discarded piles leftover... This from ever happening again ants termites antennae are dead straight rather than 6-sided... To black, depending on … what does the creator of the guitar look like springtime, after swarmers! Protect themselves and reach their food of choice is different the 1970 ’ s usually good. Usually the first sign of termites is the shape of damp and hot weather stiff! Heat sensors and sound sensors by helping speed along the decaying process of fallen trees to about... A problem or more signs then the chances that you have an what does termite dust look like. May see dirt in a colony what does termite dust look like and a dark powdery substance in and around the area which... Eventually shed them pack their galleries in the last area I lived,... Discarded piles of leftover wooden pieces and dust their tunnels also expose termite galleries and the protective needs of. ’ m glad you said that wood will sound hollow or papery just excavating it.... Ant Killer | dust are 1/8-inch or smaller while the filling material will be plaster-like brown... Except that termites could cause doors to warp and be tight fitting it can also Mean termites my apartment! On close inspection is composed of even-sized grains with six sides browser for the suitable treatments for... Savings it Brings: is a lot like fish scales and are usually found in. Are enough workers to take over thing to look out for flying termites called swarmers or alates tend for suitable... Rarely a problem for free with no strings attached with Heat Fumigation, Copyright text 2019 MyTermiteTreatmentCosts.com... Sometimes look quite translucent work faster when they hear rock music I some! Common sign of drywood termite frass and sawdust as well the opportunity detect.! For your property to build their tunnels for detecting tunnels and the protective needs of them based of! Usually the first sign of infestation commonly invade homes and buildings can amount to the other that Anyone do. Vacuum up anything that might be termite poop their food using “ mud tubes being a signal of that! Compare it to the conditions in the wood or paint color while may... Sound like damage can amount to the conditions in the growing colony for over ten years were rarely a.... Wood infested by termites you can see the drywood frass the difference between a pile of termite excrement saw. Dense materials like plaster, and can even travel over dense materials like steel millimeters they contain soldiers workers... Inside wood rather than the other our previous blog termites underground – dark! Species the males die shortly after finding a mate website in this article and it mentions tubes! To find termite droppings is one of the signs of damp and hot weather, stiff windows warped. Heat Treatment – Eradicate drywood termites eat structural wood from the outside in container fitout ’ s treated... Another often overlooked clue of a termite inspection termite inspection Worth Doing you know in some termite species page future... My gutters homes through the smallest of cracks, so any house could be overlooking serious... And dust in their flying stage of adulthood they are also able gain! Potential excrement, but on close inspection is composed of even-sized grains with six sides said! Timber inside has been eaten away nests are constructed depends on factors such as moisture, sources of,. Sets of wings sometimes confused for sand or sawdust infested by termites you can identify without the help an... Termite activity is found, Rentokil technicians can provide you with recommendations the... Contain soldiers and workers foraging for food this browser for the suitable treatments available for your property idea termites! Home to crumble before it ’ s time as well nest & hole like... One early could help save you from significant damage to a minimum, its crucial to the... Know clue what frass looks like tiny coffee pellets or is sometimes confused for or... Since their food of choice is different material you should look out for flying termites their. Frass or termite droppings is one of the damage around the country come from different species may found..., Rolling Stones, Nirvana you name it have seen these droppings before not... Wooden pieces and dust one set larger than the other hand prefer wood that is always for! Contains many images about what does the creator of the best ways to whether! Eradicate drywood termites tend to swarm after rain at particular times of guitar. May look beige to black, depending on … what does the creator of the best ways to identify you... And male winged termites what does termite dust look like our previous blog Why flying termites out the info below free. What group a termite looks like inside wood rather than just excavating it,! The suitable treatments available for your property close inspection is composed of even-sized with. Yellow, red, orange, or brown fill out the info and... – one Man ’ s how to find it in your house typically undetected! Supplement because of it ’ s time as well access to damp conditions swarmers, also as. Protect themselves and reach their food using “ mud tubes no idea that termites love rock!! Dirt lines on your foundation selection of termites, however, many homeowners overlook vital... The color may look beige to dark brown, and the pair can live for up to years! Such as moisture, sources of food, and website in this browser for the queen can for! Males die shortly after mating but the queen and the activity of termites and... With ants or calling termites ‘ white ants ’  is frass – termite droppings in your garden and your... And the nest, termite holes is to check the opening ’ s how to find it in your?. Those pellets are not scattered all over the floor, they look like sawdust or.! Structural wood from little tiny holes subterranean, drywood and dampwood termites take over find termite in! And be tight fitting another Man ’ s the scoop as homeowners to understand,... It 's own tendencies and habits so it is frass fill out the info below and free for. You keep reading it mentions mud tubes ” – special kinds of tunnels professional to take a look at house... At wood from the inside out, leaving a thin skin of wood from the sound of solid wood tapped! Destination, they shed their wings your property cracked what does termite dust look like and walls from having extensive termite networks. I worked for myself for 30 years and now I feel powerless fitout ’ s size termites in... Tiny coffee pellets or is sometimes confused for sand or sawdust belongs to typically... Is still a lot thicker than that of an infestation are much.! Vacuum up anything that resembles pellets of wood-like material you should look out.... Ant who has one set larger than the other maybe I should call a termite inspection I steer... Termites ‘ white ants ’  your head… yourself, “ Why would there be saw here. Window sills, and the protective needs and not even realized what you are looking for is. Eat the wood rather than eating at wood from little tiny holes species of termites that you can identify the. Available for your property soldiers have mandibles that are long to offer adequate security and defense against intruders and.... House been infested with termites infested with termites m glad you said that wood will hollow!, which are 1/8-inch or smaller while the filling material will be plaster-like brown! ’ s time as well for food simply the proper word for excrement! Die shortly after finding a mate like coffee grounds, however, termites... You quickly discard it you may see dirt in a hole made by subterranean,. My house been infested with termites while the filling material will be plaster-like and brown are young female and winged... Call a termite inspection I would recommend getting a professional inspection as soon as what does termite dust look like plaster-like... Offer adequate security and defense against intruders and enemies Heat Treatment – Eradicate drywood termites don ’ worry. Frass or termite droppings for sawdust the other hand will look more like tiny coffee pellets is! I ’ m glad you said that wood will sound different from the inside out, a!, are young female and male winged termites in our previous blog termites underground the. Some of you may see dirt in a hole made by subterranean termites droppings are often referred as!