Termite Droppings

Often homeowners ask what some of the warning signs are of a termite invasion. They ask if there are ways you can tell that termites have infested your home before serious damage occurs. Termite droppings are one such sign; but they must be inspected carefully to discern that they do in fact belong to termites. On top of that, many professional inspectors will not say that the sight of droppings is immutable evidence of infestation. Nevertheless, it is useful to learn more about these termite droppings so that you might have a better chance of correctly identifying them when you see them.

Frass a Sign of Termites

The clearest sign of infestation is often the presence of worm like mud tunnels up walls and foundations on the home. These tunnels provide termites with a transportation system from their underground colonies to their newfound source of food. They are very fond of damp wood which is often found in basement and crawl spaces. Termite droppings, also called frass, are often found in these areas. They are somewhat hard to positively identify, but there are some characteristics that can help make it easier for the non professional to get a better idea of what you might be dealing with. When mysterious sawdust piles begin to appear in the floors of your basement, you may have a problem. These piles can either be leftover wood residue or termite droppings. Frass or droppings can be either white or black in color depending on the specific type of wood the pests have been feeding on.

Droppings Give Clues to Infestation

Termite infestation is a real threat to homes in many different climate zones. They have certain characteristics that make them hard to detect until it is too late. But staying on the lookout for warning signs can at least give you a fighting chance. If you have run into suspicious piles in your home that you suspect may be droppings, make sure to follow up on your suspicions and do not let time pass before you do. The damage these creatures can do is tremendous. One of the very first signs of infestation that a homeowner might notice is the droppings. It is important to learn as much as you can about these creatures if you live in prone areas so that you can be on the lookout for these visible warning signs of what often amounts to invisible destruction of your home.

A termite infestation is hard to detect in many cases because the colony tends to live in underground colonies, and its members move through tunnels in the soil. Homes with foundation cracks and high moisture content in the soil surrounding the home are particularly susceptible. The moisture helps the pests tunnel with relative ease, and even small cracks give a colony various entry points to choose from to help them get into the home.

Be On Guard Against Infestation

Since a termite colony can gain access to a home unnoticed in most cases because they typically feed on the inside of wood structures, it is important to be mindful of sawdust piles and other possible areas where termite droppings may be present. If you suspect any kind of termite activity in your home, termite droppings can help you verify your suspicions and can help you locate possible entry points to the home. It is much more likely that you will notice termite droppings, sawdust, and other evidences like this than that you will actually see these creatures in action. Therefore, it is critical to know what you are looking for.