What are the signs of a drywood termite infestation?

The signs of a drywood termite infestation include small frass pellets near entry points and hollow-sounding wood. Drywood termites do not need contact with soil; they can infest the wood directly and create their colonies within the wood itself. The pellets they produce, known as frass, are a clear indication of their presence, as they are expelled from the galleries they create inside the wood. Additionally, the wood can sound hollow when tapped, which signifies that termites are actively eating through it. This combination of signs is crucial for identifying drywood termite activity and determining the appropriate course of action for treatment and control.

While large mounds of dirt near the foundation is a characteristic of subterranean termites, swollen wood surfaces can be associated with various wood-destroying organisms but are not specific to drywood termites. Visible insects crawling on the wood could indicate a variety of pest issues, but without the urine-like frass and hollow sound, it wouldn't specifically confirm a drywood termite infestation. Therefore, recognizing the frass pellets and hollow-sounding wood is essential for accurately diagnosing and managing drywood termite problems.