There’s something oddly satisfying about waking up in an old, charming home — whether it’s your own or a weekend Airbnb filled with vintage tiles, creaky floors, and antique fixtures. But sometimes, those same homes come with little mysteries that can shift from quaint to concerning in a heartbeat.
One such mystery? Tiny white pellets appearing out of nowhere — often on kitchen counters, near baseboards, or under window sills.
You clean them up one night, only to find a fresh pile the next morning . They look like sesame seeds, rice grains, poppy seeds, or coarse salt. And no matter how thoroughly you wipe, vacuum, or scrub — they return.
If this sounds familiar, here’s the truth: you may be dealing with drywood termites , and those tiny white pellets could be their calling card — known as frass .
Let’s explore what these droppings are, why they keep coming back, and what you should do about them.
