PestDecoderDecode a clue

Inspection route

Wood and furniture pest clues

Hole size, pellet shape, grain pattern and moisture context distinguish termites, ants and beetles.

Inspect in this order

Start where evidence is most likely to remain undisturbed. Photograph scale and placement before cleaning, then establish a clean baseline only when the material can be handled safely.

  1. Find the exact point above each debris pile.
  2. Measure every exit hole with a millimeter ruler.
  3. Tap only nonstructural surfaces gently and note hollow areas.
  4. Mark and recheck cleaned locations for fresh material.
Avoid this shortcut

Do not probe or remove load-bearing wood.

Common candidates in this location

Location helps prioritize candidates, but it does not identify a pest by itself. Use a physical sign and companion clue before making a treatment decision.

high concern

Drywood termite

Kalotermitidae

Uniform hard pellets in small piles directly below tiny wood openings, often recurring after cleanup.

Frass and pelletsWings and swarmersHoles and openings
Read evidence profile
high concern

Subterranean termite

Rhinotermitidae

Mud shelter tubes, soft or hollow wood and equal-length swarmer wings near soil-connected routes.

Wings and swarmersHoles and openingsDamage and gnawing
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medium concern

Carpenter ant

Camponotus spp.

Coarse mixed wood shavings below a slit or crack, often with large ants and moisture-damaged wood nearby.

Frass and pelletsWings and swarmersHoles and openings
Read evidence profile
medium concern

Powderpost beetle

Lyctinae and related groups

Tiny round holes with flour-like powder accumulating below unfinished or stored wood.

Frass and pelletsHoles and openingsLarvae and grubs
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high concern

Old house borer

Hylotrupes bajulus

Larger oval exit holes, coarse packed frass and feeding sounds in softwood framing.

Frass and pelletsHoles and openingsLarvae and grubs
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Evidence types worth checking

Frass and pellets

Pellets, sawdust-like debris and mixed wood shavings can separate termites, carpenter ants and wood-boring beetles.

5 candidate profiles

Inspect this clue

Wings and swarmers

Equal wing length, body shape, season and the point of emergence help separate termites, ants and seasonal flies.

4 candidate profiles

Inspect this clue

Holes and openings

Diameter, edge quality, material and debris below an opening can distinguish insect exit holes, rodent routes and wildlife entry.

8 candidate profiles

Inspect this clue

Damage and gnawing

Surface scraping, paired tooth marks, hollow wood, clipped fibers and food-package holes are high-value contextual clues.

12 candidate profiles

Inspect this clue

Sounds and movement

Time of day, route height, rhythm and weight can narrow rodents, squirrels, bats, insects and plumbing-related noise.

6 candidate profiles

Inspect this clue

Larvae and grubs

Hair, head capsule, legs, body curvature and food source distinguish pantry, textile, fly and wood-boring larvae.

10 candidate profiles

Inspect this clue

Build a repeatable baseline

Record the date, exact position and a scale reference. If cleanup is safe, note whether the sign returns in the same route, below the same opening or near the same resource. Repeat location can be more informative than color or a single photograph.

Source basis