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Termites, also known as silent destroyers, are small insects that feed on wood. They’re not always easy to spot, and once you notice signs of termites around your home, you’re likely already dealing with a full-blown infestation. Once an infestation begins, termites can wreak havoc on your living space and chew up your home’s wooden construction, leading to structural problems and costly repairs. 

This article will discuss common signs of termites, including termite poop, and provide recommendations for what you should do if you suspect you may have a termite infestation.

What Do Termite Droppings Look Like?

If you have a termite infestation in or around your home, termite droppings will be found close by. As termites build mud tunnels to support their colonies, they’ll leave behind evidence of digested wood. 

Keep in mind that unlike rodent droppings, termite droppings aren’t dangerous. They’re a sign of an active termite infestation, but they don’t carry any pathogens that will harm you.

Termite droppings are extremely small, which can make them hard to spot. Individual pieces of termite poop are a fraction of an inch, and you often need magnifying glasses to spot each dropping. 

Here are some common characteristics of termite excrement:

  • About 1 millimeter in length —typically no larger than 0.04 inches
  • Light brown or black in color depending on the termite’s diet
  • Oval-shaped with rounded ends that appear hexagonal
  • Clumps of termite droppings may look like small piles of salt, pepper, or coffee grounds

 

termite droppings

What Do Termites Look Like?

Though you’re more likely to see signs of termites than termites themselves, if you suspect an infestation, it can be helpful to know what these wood-destroying pests look like. Termites are a small winged insect that range in size from ⅛ of an inch to an inch. They have four wings of almost equal length with pale veins and may vary in color from shades of white, brown, and black. Their exact appearance varies with each different termite species:

Subterranean termites

  • Creamy white to dark brown or black color
  • Long, narrow oval shape
  • ⅛ inch long
  • Found anywhere throughout the United States
  • Most common and destructive termite species

Drywood termites

  • Creamy white to light brown color
  • Long, narrow oval shape
  • ⅜ to 1 inch in length
  • Primarily found in coastal regions from South Carolina to Texas as well as California

Formosan termites

  • Creamy white to brown color
  • Long, narrow oval shape
  • ½ inch long
  • Primarily found in Hawaii, North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Alabama, Florida, and California

Termites are social creatures, and a termite’s appearance may also depend on its role in the termite caste system. The caste system consists of larvae, workers, soldiers, reproductives, and the queen. 

For example, worker termites often have pale bodies while soldiers have darker bodies and larger heads with forceps to protect the colony. A termite’s unique body structure helps them to complete the tasks in their caste.

Other Signs of Termites

If your home has a termite infestation, it’s unlikely that you’ll actually see termites. Instead, you’ll probably pick up on other signs of their activity around your home. Some common signs of a termite colony include: 

  • – Termite poop as we’ve described above
  • – Spotting discarded wings around your house
  • – Damaged or hollow-sounding wood
  • – Swelling wooden surfaces
  • – Buckling or blistering wood
  • – Moldy scents

What To Do If You Spot Signs of a Termite Infestation

If you do spot termite droppings or other telltale signs of termites in your home, you may be inclined to try a DIY method to get rid of the infestation. However, DIY methods or store-bought pesticides likely won’t do much to solve a termite infestation. The best first step to getting rid of termites in your home is to contact a pest control professional as soon as possible. 

A pest control company can help you determine what type of termite problem you’re dealing with, which will help them decide the best course of action for extermination. In the eastern US, the most common termite types are subterranean termites, drywood termites, formosan termites, and dampwood termites.

Dodson Pest Control Can Help.

If you’ve spotted termite poop in your home or you have other reasons to suspect that you might have a termite invasion in your home, Dodson Pest Control can help you regain control. Our team has over 70 years of experience in commercial and residential pest control and we will build a custom termite control plan with pesticides for your home’s specific needs. We offer many different treatment options for termite infestations including liquid termiticides, foam and dusts, and termite repellents. We’re also able to place in-ground bait stations around your property to intercept any termites before they reach the structure of your home. Reach out to us and we’ll come by to give your property a free termite inspection.

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