Found Hexagonal Pellets? That's Drywood Termite Frass

Drywood termites push their fecal pellets (frass) out of their galleries through small kickout holes. These pellets are hexagonal (6-sided), about 1mm in size, and vary in color from light tan to dark brown depending on what wood the termites are consuming.

Frass piles typically appear in corners, on windowsills, beneath eaves, or anywhere there's a structural wood member above. If you notice a pile that wasn't there before — or that reforms after you sweep it up — that's active infestation.

The location of frass gives your inspector clues about where the gallery is. Frass near a window frame suggests infestation in the window header or sill plate. Frass below a ceiling light fixture may indicate attic framing infestation above.

Do not sweep or vacuum frass before an inspection — it helps your inspector identify the species, estimate infestation extent, and locate the gallery more quickly. Mark where you find it and note when it appeared.

Treatment options for drywood termite frass findings: orange oil injection (localized infestations, no vacating), heat treatment (whole-structure, chemical-free), or tent fumigation (widespread infestation). The right choice depends on how many galleries are active and where they're located.