Signs of Drywood Termites: Frass, Kick-Out Holes, and Clicking Sounds

Have you ever noticed tiny piles of what looks like sawdust near your window sills or heard faint clicking noises from within your walls at night?

For many Los Angeles homeowners, these subtle clues can be the first warning signs of a silent invasion.

Drywood termites are a common and destructive pest in Southern California, capable of causing significant damage to your home’s structure without you even knowing they’re there. Unlike their subterranean cousins, these termites live entirely within the wooden structures they infest, making them particularly difficult to detect.

Understanding the early signs of drywood termites is crucial for protecting your property. In the United States, termites cause an estimated $5 billion in property damage annually, and much of that cost is not covered by standard homeowner's insurance policies .

For homeowners in Los Angeles, a city ranked among the top for termite activity, staying vigilant is your best defense .

This guide will walk you through the definitive signs of a drywood termite problem, from their distinctive droppings to the strange sounds they make, so you can take action before the damage becomes severe.

Quick Answers: Do You Have Drywood Termites?

What are the most common signs of drywood termites? 

The most common indicators are termite droppings (frass), shed swarmer wings, small “kick-out” holes in wood, and faint clicking sounds coming from your walls.

What does termite frass look like?

 Drywood termite frass consists of tiny, six-sided pellets that are uniform in shape and size. They often accumulate in small piles and can resemble sand or sawdust, but have a distinct hexagonal shape upon close inspection.

Are drywood termites dangerous? 

While not directly harmful to humans, drywood termites can cause extensive and costly structural damage to your home over time by hollowing out wooden beams, furniture, and flooring.

When should I call a professional? 

You should schedule a professional inspection immediately if you find frass, see winged termites (swarmers) inside your home, or notice any wood that sounds hollow when tapped. Early detection is key to minimizing damage and repair costs.

The Telltale Sign: What is Termite Frass?

One of the most definitive signs of drywood termites is their droppings, known as frass.

As these termites consume wood, they create tunnels and galleries.

To keep their living spaces clean, they push their fecal pellets out of the colony through small openings called kick-out holes.

These pellets then accumulate in piles on surfaces below.

Unlike the mud tubes created by subterranean termites, drywood termite evidence is much more subtle. The frass pellets are very small (about 1mm long), dry, and hard.

Upon close examination, you’ll notice they have six distinct concave sides, a feature that is unique to drywood termites.

The color of the frass can vary depending on the type of wood being consumed, ranging from light tan to dark brown.

If you find small, unexplained piles of what looks like sand or pepper on your floors, window sills, or near wooden furniture, don’t just sweep it away.

Collect a sample and examine it with a magnifying glass.

If you see the characteristic hexagonal pellets, it’s a strong indication of an active infestation.

A great resource for identifying pests is the University of California's Integrated Pest Management (UC IPM) program, which provides detailed guides on termite identification .

Kick-Out Holes: The Termites’ Tiny Exit Doors

Where there is frass, there are almost always kick-out holes.

These are the small, round openings that drywood termites create to expel their droppings from their galleries.

These holes are tiny, typically no larger than the tip of a pen, making them very easy to overlook.

Inspectors often find these holes in hidden or discreet locations, such as:

Along the joints of wooden window and door frames

In the crevices of antique furniture

On exposed beams and rafters in your attic

Along baseboards and crown molding

To determine if an infestation is currently active, you can clean up any frass piles you find and seal the suspected kick-out hole with a piece of tape or a dab of paint.

Check back in a few days. If a new pile of frass has appeared or the seal is broken, you have an active colony.

This is a critical step in diagnosing the extent of your termite damage.

The Sound of Destruction: Clicking and Head-Banging

Have you ever put your ear to a wall and heard a faint, rhythmic clicking or tapping?

It might not be your imagination.

Soldier termites are known to create audible sounds as a warning to the rest of the colony when they sense a threat.

They do this by banging their heads against the walls of their tunnels, creating a distinct clicking or rattling noise.

This head-banging is a defense mechanism, but for a homeowner, it’s an alarm bell.

The sound is often very faint, so you may only hear it in a quiet house, perhaps at night.

You might also hear a soft, papery rustling sound as the worker termites move about and chew through wood.

If you suspect you’re hearing termite activity, you can gently tap on the wood.

This disturbance may trigger the soldier termites to sound their alarm, helping you pinpoint the location of the infestation.

These sounds are one of the more unsettling signs of termites, serving as a direct confirmation that a colony is active and growing within your home’s structure.

If you hear these noises, it’s time to consider professional termite treatment.

Flying Termites: The Sign of a Mature Colony

Another unmistakable sign of a termite problem is the presence of swarmers, or flying termites.

These are the reproductive members of a termite colony that emerge to mate and establish new colonies.

A swarm is a sign that an existing colony is mature typically at least three to five years old and is looking to expand its territory.

Drywood termite swarmers are typically seen during warm, sunny days in the late summer and fall.

You might see a cloud of these winged insects flying near your home, or you may find them indoors, attracted to light sources like windows and lamps.

The most common evidence left behind after a swarm is their shed wings.

After a short flight, swarmers land, shed their wings, and pair up to find a new location to start a colony.

Finding a pile of identical, translucent wings on a windowsill or floor is a red flag.

It means a swarm has occurred, and a new termite colony could be starting in or near your home. Differentiating termite swarmers from flying ants can be tricky.

Termites have straight antennae, a thick waist, and two pairs of wings that are equal in length. Ants, on the other hand, have elbowed antennae, a pinched waist, and wings of unequal length.

If you see swarmers, it is highly recommended to seek general pest control services.

Why You Can Trust Termike Pest Control

At Termike Pest Control, we bring over 25 years of specialized experience serving homeowners across Los Angeles and Orange County.

Our team is fully licensed (Branch 2 & 3) and proud members of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).

We are committed to using the latest, most effective, and environmentally responsible methods to protect your home.

Our goal is not just to eliminate pests, but to provide you with peace of mind.

Our Inspection Process: A Deeper Look

When you schedule a free inspection with Termike, you’re getting more than just a quick look around.

We use a systematic and thorough process to ensure we identify every potential issue:

Comprehensive Visual Audit: 

We begin by inspecting all accessible areas of your property, from the foundation to the attic, looking for the classic signs of termites, including frass, kick-out holes, and damaged wood.

Advanced Technology: 

We utilize state-of-the-art tools like FLIR thermal imaging cameras to detect temperature variations in walls that can indicate hidden moisture or termite nests.

We also use UV tracking dust to trace termite pathways and identify the full extent of an infestation.

Sealed Entry-Point Analysis: 

Our experts carefully examine your home’s exterior to identify and seal potential entry points, preventing future infestations before they can begin.

Detailed Findings Report: 

After our inspection, we provide you with a comprehensive report of our findings, complete with photographs and a clear explanation of any issues we discovered.

We’ll then recommend a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, whether it’s localized spot treatments or a full fumigation service.

Don’t Wait for the Damage to Get Worse

The signs of drywood termites can be subtle, but the damage they cause is anything but. From compromised structural beams to ruined antique furniture, the cost of a termite infestation goes far beyond the price of treatment.

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) estimates that termites cause billions of dollars in damage to U.S. homes each year, a cost that is rarely covered by insurance .

If you’ve noticed any of the signs discussed in this guide—from mysterious frass to faint clicking in the walls, don’t ignore them.

Protecting your Los Angeles home starts with being proactive.

Schedule a free, no-obligation inspection with our team of experts today.

Let us give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your home is protected.

Call Termike Pest Control now at (888) 683-3592 or book your free inspection online to safeguard your home against drywood termites.