Drywood termites live inside the wood they are feeding on. That means a small visible sign can be local — or it can be only the part you can see. The inspection matters because the treatment conversation changes with the spread.
Pellets, wings, small holes, hollow wood, or suspicious damage.
Is the activity limited to one accessible area or showing up across the structure?
Localized treatment may fit a contained problem; broader activity may lead to a whole-structure discussion.
The shortcut: do not choose spot treatment or tenting from a symptom alone.
You do not need to identify the species yourself. You only need to know which signs are worth getting checked.
That is enough reason to stop guessing. Start with an inspection and let the findings determine whether the problem looks localized or more widespread.
There are two very different conversations. The inspection tells you which one belongs to your home.
If activity can be clearly limited to a small area, a provider may discuss treating that area directly. That is not something this site can determine from symptoms alone.
If drywood activity is widespread or hidden across multiple areas, fumigation or another whole-structure approach may enter the conversation. Inspection comes before that decision.