Termites can cause damage before you even know they’re there. One of the earliest signs of activity is something often overlooked: termite droppings. These small, pellet-like pieces of waste, called termite frass, are often the first visible clue that there is a termite infestation. Knowing how to recognize frass can help you spot infestations sooner, potentially before the damage spreads.
What termite droppings look like depends on the type of termite, but in most cases, they look like small, hard pellets about the size of a grain of sand. These pellets can range in color from light beige to dark brown and often gather in small piles.
Drywood termite droppings are the most commonly spotted indoors. Drywood termites live inside the wood they consume, which means their waste often collects right where they’re feeding. They push it out through small kick-out holes in the wood, leaving behind piles of pellets.
These droppings are dry, oval-shaped, and range in color from tan to dark brown. Because they're so dry, they don’t stick to surfaces, making them easier to sweep away - although they’ll often return if the infestation is active.
Unlike drywood species, subterranean termites live underground and travel through mud tubes to reach wood above ground. Subterranean termites don’t leave behind visible droppings. Instead, they use their waste to help build and seal their tunnels. Because of this, you’re unlikely to find termite frass from subterranean termites inside your home.
A clearer sign of a subterranean infestation is the presence of mud tubes along your foundation or walls. If you see these, it’s time to schedule an inspection with us.
To the untrained eye, it’s easy to confuse termite pellets with droppings from other pests like ants or cockroaches. Cockroach droppings are usually smears or small black pepper-like specs, while ants generally leave more irregular piles containing other materials, like sawdust and debris. Termite droppings, on the other hand, are generally dry, oval-shaped, and have ridges on each side - almost like tiny capsules.
Even with this knowledge, it can be very difficult to identify the type of pest you are dealing with. That's where we can help. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to bring in a technician who can confirm whether you’re seeing the frass termites leave behind and identify the type of termite responsible.
Frass tends to show up in quiet corners of your home, especially where wood is exposed. While termites leave droppings inside the wood they feed on, they often push it out through small exit holes, leaving behind noticeable piles. Some common places to find termite frass include:
If you sweep the pellets away and they return, that could be a sign of an active infestation. Our termite control experts can inspect your property to determine if the droppings are from termites or another pest.
Finding termite droppings in your home doesn’t always mean there’s major damage, but it’s a strong sign of active termites. While it may be tempting to clean up and move on, it’s important not to ignore it.
Our team can inspect your property, confirm whether the frass you’re seeing is fresh, and help create a treatment plan that addresses the issue from the ground up, from inspection, treatments, to prevention. Contact us today if you’ve spotted signs of termites in your home or business.
Termite droppings are usually light brown to dark brown, depending on the type of wood the termites are eating and which species of termite it is.
Termite droppings are not toxic and generally harmless to humans, although some people can be allergic to the droppings.
Yes, you can vacuum up termite pellets, but they’ll likely come back if the infestation isn’t treated. Cleaning the droppings alone won’t solve the issue. It’s important to address the source of the problem, not just the signs of it.
Common spots include windowsills, baseboards, and areas where wood touches your home. These areas should be checked regularly if you suspect termite activity.
Termites leave droppings behind as part of their natural digestion process. For drywood termites in particular, this waste is pushed out of their tunnels to keep the area clean. The type of droppings (or whether you see any at all) depends on the termite species.
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