Signs of Termites in an HDB Flat: Where to Look

The six signs to look for

Mud tubes. Thin, pencil-width tunnels of soil on walls, skirting, the backs of cabinets or around pipes. Subterranean termites build them to travel while staying out of the open air.
Hollow or soft wood. Press or tap door frames, skirting boards and cabinet panels. Wood that sounds papery or gives way under your thumb may have been eaten from the inside.
Discarded wings. Small, similar-sized wings near windows, lights or door gaps. Winged termites (alates) swarm to start new colonies, often in the evening, and drop their wings when they land.
Bubbling or cracked paint on wooden surfaces, or a thin, sagging laminate on carpentry.
Sticking doors or wardrobe drawers that used to open easily.
Frass. Tiny, dry, pellet-like droppings in small piles under wooden furniture or frames. This is more typical of drywood termites, which live inside the timber.

Where to check in an HDB flat

Kitchen cabinets, especially under the sink and around pipes, where moisture collects
Built-in wardrobes and the wall behind them
Door frames, including the main door and bathroom doors
Skirting boards and parquet or timber flooring
Storerooms and the household shelter, where cardboard boxes and old timber are kept
Around service ducts and pipes that run between floors

Newly renovated flats are not immune. New carpentry, flooring and furniture are a common place to find termites, so it's worth checking even if the flat is new.

What not to do

Don't spray insecticide on the termites or break open the mud tubes. You'll kill the few you can see, and the rest of the colony can simply move to another part of the home, which makes it harder for an operator to treat.

Don't throw away damaged wood before it's been inspected.
Don't move affected furniture into other rooms.
Do take clear photos, note where and when you first saw the activity, and leave it undisturbed.

If the activity is coming from common property

If termites seem to be coming from a corridor, riser, void deck or another unit, let your Town Council know as well. Treatment inside your flat may not stop activity that starts in common areas.

What happens next

A licensed operator will inspect, identify the species and recommend a method. For subterranean termites in flats, baiting or spot treatment is common; drywood termites are usually treated locally, for example with foam. Typical published prices are in the termite price guide, and our cost explainer covers what goes into a quote.

Questions

Can termites come through HDB concrete?

Termites can't eat concrete, but subterranean termites can travel through small cracks, gaps around pipes and service ducts to reach timber. That's why mud tubes often appear along walls and pipes.

Are flying ants the same as termites?

Not always. Winged termites have straight antennae, a thick waist and wings of equal size, while flying ants have elbowed antennae, a pinched waist and front wings longer than the back ones. If you're unsure, take photos and ask an operator.

Should I spray termites myself?

It's best not to. Spraying usually kills only the termites you can see and can drive the colony elsewhere. Leave the activity undisturbed and get it inspected.

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Signs of termites in an HDB flat, and where to look