Discover the Signs of Termite Droppings in Your Home

Identifying Termite Droppings

Termite droppings are small, brown, and oval-shaped. You can find them in your home’s attic, walls, and floors. If you notice termite droppings on the floor or walls of your house, it’s essential to call a professional immediately. They will inspect the area and determine if termites are present in your home’s woodwork.

It’s important to understand that there are two main types of termites: dry wood and subterranean. Drywood termites live in the wood of buildings and trees, while subterranean termites live in the soil. Both termites leave behind fecal pellets and tiny balls of hardened waste.

Drywood termite droppings

Drywood termite droppings are easy to spot and resemble sawdust or coffee grounds. Drywood termite droppings are usually dry and are sometimes difficult to distinguish from other types of wood debris. These droppings accumulate along walls or underneath objects that this type of pest has infested.

If you find these small black pellets on your floors or furniture, chances are good that you’ve got some unwanted guests living inside your walls!

You need a trusted termite control company like Gentry & Associates Termite Control. We offer practical, affordable solutions for stopping these destructive critters before they do more damage than they already have.

Subterranean termite droppings

Subterranean termite droppings resemble tiny pinpricks on the surface where they were deposited, but they may not be visible without close inspection due to their size. Subterranean termite droppings can be problematic for homeowners to spot because they’re often hidden inside wall voids or the insulation around plumbing pipes in basements or crawlspaces.

What’s in Termite Droppings?

Termites feed on wood and other cellulose-based materials. They must digest this material before they can eat it. Termites have special digestive enzymes that help break down cellulose so they can digest it. The waste product of this process is called frass, composed of undigested wood particles, saliva, and fecal matter from the insects themselves.

Termite Droppings Are Visible in Wood

While termite droppings are tiny, they are easy to spot if you know where to look. You will find them in wood that termites or other pests have damaged. Termites tend to live under the surface of wood, so seeing their droppings should indicate that more insects also live nearby.

Termite Droppings Are Not Uniform In Appearance Or Color

Termites produce fecal pellets that are not uniform in size and color. The pellets may be dark brown and about 1/16th inch long (1.5mm). These pellets are not consistent in size or color, which is a good indication of termite activity.

Termite Droppings Might Have An Oily Appearance

Termite fecal pellets may have an oily appearance due to their fats. This is only sometimes visible on the first inspection. But it will become evident after time has passed and the pellets have dried out and hardened against the woodwork or wallboard.

Differentiating Between Termite Droppings and Wood Rot

It’s easy to mistake termite droppings for wood rot. Wood rot is caused by fungi that eat away at the wood, causing it to become soft and mushy. While termites also eat out at wood, their droppings look different than those of fungal infestations.

You might spot termite droppings are usually found on floors or ground level in homes where there is an active infestation. They’re typically round and white or brown –much different than the black mold you might see growing on your walls if you have a severe problem with fungus!

Impact of Termite Droppings On A Home

Termites are a nuisance to homeowners because they can cause significant damage to your home. Termites eat away at wood, which makes it easier for them to penetrate walls and other structural elements of your house. This can lead to structural damage that is expensive to repair.

Termites are harmful to the structure of your home and can also impact your family’s health. Termites cause damage to wood, an ongoing source of moisture, and can lead to mold growth in the home. This can cause breathing issues and other health problems for your family.

You must immediately take action against termites if you suspect they have infested your home. Here are some of the problems caused by termites:

Unsightly marks on floors and ceilings

Termites leave behind a brown stain on the areas they have eaten away at. This will make an unsightly mark on floors and ceilings that cannot be removed with typical cleaning methods. The stains do not come off quickly and will stay there until you get rid of all traces of termites in your home.

Damage to wood

Termites cause damage to wood by eating away at it until there is nothing left but dust particles. They also produce a lot of salivae which helps them digest the wood easier than other insects, making it even more challenging to get rid of them entirely once you notice them in your home. These creatures could destroy your wooden fixtures if left untreated for too long.

When termites chew through wood, they produce large amounts of frass. This frass can build up around the entrance hole of a termite colony, forming a mound on the surface of your wooden flooring or other wooden structures.

If you find any evidence of termites in or around your home, contact an exterminator immediately to inspect your property for signs of infestation and help you implement an effective treatment plan to get rid of these pests once and for all.

Bad odor

The mildew-like odor may be due to a combination of factors such as moisture and humidity, temperature, or even food sources used by the pests. Termites consume cellulose material and excrete it through their anus, which gives off a musty odor similar to mildew. This is especially true if they have been feeding on wood subflooring or other building materials for some time.

Health hazards

Termites can cause contact dermatitis as a result of their feces. The droppings contain allergens that cause reactions in some people. If you are sensitive to these allergens, they may cause rashes on your face, hands, and arms. This condition is also called scabies or “the seven-year itch.”

Inhalation of dust from termite droppings can cause respiratory allergies and asthma symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness. If you have allergies and asthma, avoid exposure to these particles by wearing a mask when working with wood products that contain termite damage.

Cost of Repairs

Termites are one of the most destructive pests, costing the world about $40 billion annually. In addition to eating away at your home or business, termites also produce a lot of waste that can be dangerous if it gets on wood floors.

Termite droppings are a telltale sign that you have a termite infestation problem in your home. The presence of termite droppings is one of the best indicators that you need professional help to eliminate your termite problem. The damage caused by these insects can be costly and can lead to significant damage if left unchecked.

Big repairs

Termites can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare. While there are many preventative measures you can take to avoid termite damage, if you’re unlucky enough to have an infestation in your home, repairs can add up quickly.

A major repair, such as a complete foundation replacement, would cost about $150,000 on average, according to estimates from HomeAdvisor. Add in all the other areas of your home that could be affected — like the roof and garage — and those costs could easily double or triple.

Insurance

Removing them as soon as possible is essential if you discover termites in your home. While some people may try DIY treatments, these methods rarely work and can lead to more severe problems.

It’s also important to remember that insurance doesn’t cover the cost of repairing damage caused by termites because it’s considered preventable. If termites damage your home, you must pay out-of-pocket for repairs.

While termite damage isn’t covered by homeowners insurance because it’s considered preventable, some policies offer at least partial coverage for damage caused by flood or water damage. You can also buy additional coverage through an endorsement or rider on your policy.

Silent destroyers

Termites are often called “silent destroyers” because they can cause extensive damage without being detected until it’s too late. The best way to prevent damage from these insects is through early detection. This will allow you to take action before it’s too late, minimizing the cost of repairs and ensuring your family’s safety.

Early detection and extermination can help.

Early detection of termite droppings is critical in preventing significant repairs that can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars and take months to fix. Through regular inspection and proactive termite prevention, homeowners can avoid costly repairs due to termite damage or infestation problems.

Gentry & Associates Termite Control has protected homes from termites and other pests for 33 years. Our California team is licensed as a branch three operator, and we offer localized treatments and tent fumigation services. Trust us to protect your property from destructive pests like termites and beetles.

Call us at Call (888) 838-3764.