Termites · SWFL Pest Identifier
Drywood Termite
Worth a pro look Damage or health risk grows quickly once established.
How to identify it
- Tiny six-sided pellets in neat piles under a pinhole in wood
- No mud tubes — they live entirely inside the wood
- Swarms at dusk, often after warm rain
Size
Small (grain of rice)
Where you'll see it
Attic / walls · Bedroom · Garage / storage
Looks like
Winged swarm
Did you know
Those pellet piles are "kick-out" debris — the colony sweeps its gallery and pushes the pellets out a hole the size of a pin.
What it means for you
Pellets mean an active colony in that wood member. Early treatment is far cheaper than late.
From identification to the next step
Compare the evidence, possible lookalikes, and questions to bring to an inspection.
Download an observation worksheetNot sure this is your bug?
Text a photo and a licensed local tech will identify it for free — or run it through the interactive identifier.
Dealing With This One?
Get a real price online in about 60 seconds — or text us a photo first and we'll tell you honestly whether it even needs treatment.