Termite treatment in Singapore
Found mud tubes, hollow wood or discarded wings? Don't spray them. Tell us what you're seeing and get quotes from up to 3 NEA-licensed operators.
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Signs you may have termites
- Mud tubes on walls, skirting or cabinet backs
- Wood that sounds hollow or feels soft when pressed
- Discarded wings near windows, lights or doors
- Bubbling or cracked paint on wooden surfaces
- Doors or windows that start to stick
- Small piles of droppings (frass) under wooden furniture, which is typical of drywood termites
Termite types in Singapore homes
Subterranean termites nest in soil and build mud tubes to reach timber. They're the most common type in homes here. Drywood termites live inside the wood itself and leave dry pellet-like droppings. Dampwood termites go for wet or decaying timber, so fixing the moisture is part of the treatment.
Common treatment methods
- Baiting systems target the colony of subterranean termites. How baiting works.
- Soil or chemical barrier treatment is mostly used for landed homes and new construction.
- Spot or corrective treatment for localised activity, sometimes by drilling and injecting.
- Foam treatment for drywood termites inside timber.
Which method is right depends on the species, where the activity is and your property type. A licensed operator should confirm this on inspection. For typical costs, see the termite price guide.
What to ask an operator
- Which termite species is it, and how did you confirm that?
- Which method do you recommend, and why?
- How many visits are included, and what's the warranty?
- Can I see your company's NEA registration and the technician's licence?
Questions
Should I spray termites myself first?
It's best not to. Spraying the termites you can see usually kills only a few and can scatter the colony into other parts of the home, which makes professional treatment harder. Leave the activity undisturbed and take photos instead.
What are the signs of termites?
Common signs include mud tubes on walls or skirting, wood that sounds hollow when tapped, discarded wings near windows or lights, bubbling paint, doors or windows that suddenly stick, and soft or sagging timber floors.
Baiting or chemical treatment: which is better?
It depends on the termite type and your property. Baiting is commonly used for subterranean termite colonies and where drilling is unsuitable. Soil or chemical barrier treatments are more common for landed homes and new builds. Drywood termites are usually treated locally, for example with foam. A licensed operator should recommend a method after inspecting.
Is there a warranty on termite treatment?
Many operators offer warranties, and their length varies by treatment and company. Ask what the warranty covers, whether follow-up visits are included and what happens if termites return.
Related guides
- Signs of termites in an HDB flat, and where to look
- How much does termite treatment cost in Singapore?
- Termite baiting vs soil treatment (chemical barrier)
- How to choose an NEA-licensed pest control operator
- Termite treatment for HDB flats
- Subterranean vs drywood termites: how to tell them apart
- Pre-renovation termite treatment: is it worth it?
- Termites in a condo: working with your MCST