UC Riverside researchers have developed a new way to determine whether a termite infestation is active by analyzing microbes in termite droppings. Because many of the microbes in fresh pellets die and degrade quickly once exposed to air, measuring their DNA levels can reveal how recently the pellets were produced. Using qPCR, the team showed that microbial DNA declines sharply over time, allowing inspectors to distinguish fresh from old activity. The method could lead to simple on-site tests that help pest professionals avoid unnecessary fumigations and better target active termite colonies.