Do Termites Make Sawdust?
WouterWhen you notice a pile of sawdust, you may be wondering if it’s actually termite frass. Although the name of the pile may be similar, the two are very different.
Termites are small insects that live in wood. They chew through the wood and then leave a hollowed out hole in the wood. They eat cellulose, which is a vital nutrient for healthy nutrition. They can speed up the decay of fallen trees and also attack houses. They can cause significant damage to homes and they are usually undetected until they cause a lot of damage.
In order to find out whether you have a termite infestation, you’ll need to know what to look for. Besides seeing actual termite droppings, you’ll also need to learn what to look for in a sawdust pile.
Termite droppings are a simple, yet effective way to find out whether or not you have a termite infestation. The fecal pellets look like a tiny deflated football. They’re oval in shape with six sides. They are about 0.04 inches long.
Occasionally, drywood termites make holes in the wood. They then push fecal pellets out of the living space. These pellets are a little more sand-like than the sawdust-like sawdust.
Another common sight is termite tunnels. These tubes are usually found in or near the foundation or other inaccessible parts of the structure. They can be difficult to clean up, but they can help you determine if you have a termite problem.
