Termite frass
- Small, relatively uniform pellets.
- Hard and dry rather than fluffy.
- Often collected in a small pile below a kick-out opening.
- Recurrence after cleanup is a useful pattern clue.
Quick compare
Frass vs sawdust
Both can look like a little pile of wood-colored debris. The useful differences are shape, texture, where it appeared, and whether it comes back.
TL;DR: Drywood-termite frass tends to be small, hard, pellet-like material pushed from tiny openings. Sawdust or shavings are usually more irregular and fibrous. If you cannot tell, document the pile rather than guessing.
Sawdust / wood debris
- More irregular flakes, fibers, chips, or powder.
- May be linked to drilling, carpentry, wear, or another wood-boring insect.
- Source is often easier to connect to recent work or visible abrasion.
- One pile alone does not identify the cause.
Still not sure?
A repeated pile or a second clue matters more than online certainty.
Request inspection infoA repeated pile or a second clue matters more than online certainty.
Four checks before you decide
ShapePellet-like vs irregular debris.
SourceTiny opening vs visible cutting or damage.
LocationWindow trim, baseboards, furniture, framing, or another wood source.
RecurrenceDoes the pile return after cleanup?
Use LTRS if the material comes back or appears in more than one area. This site does not identify pests from a visual description.