There’s a special charm to older homes—antique fixtures, creaky floors, and vintage woodwork. But along with the beauty sometimes comes an unsettling mystery: tiny white pellets that appear overnight, no matter how often you sweep them away. At first glance, they look like sesame seeds or grains of rice. In truth, they may be something far less harmless—termite droppings.
These tiny specks, known as frass, are the waste drywood termites push out of their nests. Unlike subterranean termites that remain hidden, drywood termites leave behind these small, oval pellets, often mistaken for crumbs, sand, or seeds. They tend to reappear in the same spot, usually near baseboards, trim, or countertops, because termites are creatures of routine, discarding waste as they tunnel through wood.
This is especially common in older homes and rentals, where untreated or moisture-exposed wood creates the perfect target. Even freshly renovated spaces may hide termites within beams, flooring, or walls.
If you notice these pellets, document them, notify your landlord or host, and contact pest control. Ignoring frass can lead to costly structural damage—reminding us that even charming old homes sometimes keep unwelcome secrets.
