The Scoop on Termite Poop – Termite Droppings [Explained]

Oct 5, 2022

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Everything To Know About Termite Droppings

Most people don’t give much thought to termites or their droppings. But if you’ve got them in your home, you’re probably thinking about them a lot! Termites can cause extensive damage to a property, and their droppings are one of the main ways that they do it.

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at termite droppings and what they mean for your home.

 

What are Termite Droppings?

Termite droppings, also known as frass, are essentially the poop of termites. These pellets are small and hard, and they’re generally uniform in shape. Though you might not think it, termite frass is actually quite valuable. It’s often used as a fertilizer or soil conditioner because it’s rich in nitrogen.

termite poop

Unfortunately, while termite frass might be good for your garden, it’s not so great for your home. That’s because when termites eat wood, they don’t digest all of it. The indigestible parts of the wood pass right through them and come out as pellets.

So when you see termite droppings in your home, it’s a surefire sign that there are termites present. And if there are termites present, that means there’s a good chance they’re munching on the framing of your house!

 

How to Tell if You Have Termites

If you suspect you have termites, the first thing you should do is look for signs of their droppings. As we mentioned before, these pellets are small and hard, so they’re not always easy to spot.

termite poop (1)

If you’re unsure whether or not what you’re seeing is termite frass, try this test: Take a few of the pellets and drop them in a cup of water. If they dissolve, it’s not termite poop and if they don’t dissolve, there’s a good chance you’ve got termites!

Another way to tell if you have termites is to look for mud tubes. These tubes are made of mud and saliva and serve as highways that allow termites to travel from the ground to your home without being exposed to sunlight or predators.

You can usually find mud tubes near the foundation of your house or on exterior walls. If you see mud tubes, it’s a good indication that there are termites present.

 

The Dangers Of Termites

Before we get into how to prevent these critters from taking over, let’s first understand why it’s so important.

termite poop (2)

Termites cause over five billion dollars in damage each year in the United States alone. They feast on wood, paper, and even cardboard, and if left undetected, can do some serious damage to your home. In extreme cases, termites have even been known to cause houses to collapse.

There are two main types of termites that you need to be worried about: subterranean and drywood termites.

Subterranean termites are the most common type of termite in the United States, and they live in colonies that can number up to two million. These critters build mud tunnels that they use to travel from their nest to your home in search of food.

Drywood termites are much less common, but they can still do a lot of damage. As their name suggests, these termites live in dry wood and don’t need contact with the ground or moisture to survive.

 

How To Prevent Termites

Now that you know a little bit more about these dangerous pests, let’s discuss how you can prevent them from taking over your home.

The best way to keep termites away is by maintaining a clean and well-ventilated home.

prevent termites

Store firewood at least 20 feet away from your house and remove any dead trees or tree stumps from your property. Keep gutters and downspouts clean and unobstructed so that water flows freely away from your house.

In addition, repair any leaks in your plumbing or roof as soon as possible so that there is no standing water for the termites to feed on.

Finally, make sure that there is proper ventilation in your crawlspace or basement so that there is no moisture for the termites to thrive in.
By following these simple tips, you can help keep your home safe from a potential infestation.

However, if you think you already have a problem on your hands, it’s important to call a professional pest control company right away so they can deal with the situation before it gets out of hand.

Or if you are inclined to tackle the problem on your own we recommend you use this heavy duty termite spray.

 

Final Thoughts

Termites are sneaky little critters that can cause a lot of damage if left undetected. Thankfully, there are a few simple things you can do to prevent them from making a meal out of your home.

By storing firewood properly, removing dead trees and tree stumps, keeping gutters and downspouts clean, repairing leaks right away, and ensuring good ventilation in your crawlspace or basement, you can help keep these pests at bay.

However, if you think you already have an infestation on your hands, don’t hesitate to call a professional pest control company for assistance.

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