Found Small Pellets Near Your Wood? It Might Be Termite Frass

Here's something most homeowners don't know until it's too late: termites rarely announce themselves. No sound, no visible damage — just a quiet, steady destruction of the wood holding your home together. But they do leave one tell-tale clue: their droppings. Understanding termite droppings what they look like and why they matter will help you spot a termite problem before it turns into a financial nightmare.

So, What Exactly Are Termite Droppings?

Termite droppings called frass by pest control pros are the fecal pellets that drywood termites push out of small holes in the wood they're eating. They look like this:

• About 1mm long (tiny — the size of a grain of coarse sand)
• Oval shape with six concave sides and rounded ends
• Color ranges from light tan to very dark brown or black
• Texture is dry and granular — like pepper or fine coffee grounds

That consistent six-sided shape is the giveaway. Put one under a magnifying glass and you'll see it clearly. Regular sawdust and dirt don't have that geometric uniformity.

Not All Termite Droppings Look the Same

There are different types of termites, and they behave differently:

Drywood Termites

These are the frass-leavers. They push their waste out of tiny kick-out holes, leaving neat little piles on windowsills, floors, and furniture. If you're seeing pellet piles — this is likely your culprit.

Subterranean Termites

These guys don't leave visible droppings at all. Instead, they build mud tubes — pencil-width tunnels made from soil and feces  along your foundation and walls. Those tubes are your warning sign.

Dampwood Termites

Found in areas with moisture issues, these produce larger, darker, irregular particles. Often mistaken for wood rot or construction dust.

Where Should You Look?

• Window sills frass often collects here from kick-out holes above
• Baseboards and door frames
• Under furniture, especially antiques or unfinished wood pieces
• Crawlspaces, attics, and basement beams
• Where wood meets concrete at the foundation

Fresh Piles vs. Old Piles What's the Difference?

Fresh frass is moist, concentrated, and neat a sign the colony is actively feeding RIGHT NOW. Old frass is scattered, dry, and dust-like. If you keep seeing new piles appear in the same spot, that's a red flag: the infestation is ongoing.

Found Some? Here's What NOT to Do

Don't vacuum it up! I know it's tempting, but that frass is evidence. A pest inspector needs to see the location, quantity, and freshness of the deposits to assess the severity of the infestation. Take photos first, then call a professional.