A hollow-sounding skirting board, a door that suddenly sticks, or a faint line of mud near a wall can feel like a small maintenance issue. In an apartment, however, these clues can point to a problem that affects more than one residence. Can termites damage apartments? Yes. While they are often associated with freestanding homes, termites can enter and damage apartment buildings, including concrete and brick complexes.

Concrete is not a food source for termites, but it does not make a building termite-proof. Termites are looking for cellulose – the material found in timber framing, door jambs, skirting boards, cabinetry, flooring, cardboard and some built-in fixtures. They can travel through tiny gaps around service pipes, cracks in slabs, expansion joints and concealed wall cavities to reach it.

For tenants, owners and strata managers, the key is not to panic or start pulling apart walls. It is to report suspected activity quickly and arrange a professional assessment. Early detection can keep a contained issue from becoming a costly building repair.

Can termites damage apartments built from brick or concrete?

They can. Many apartment buildings have concrete slabs, masonry external walls and steel components, but still contain plenty of timber. Roof framing, internal stud walls, window and door frames, kitchen cabinetry, timber floors, storage areas and common-area joinery can all be vulnerable.

Termites may enter from soil beneath or beside the building, especially where landscaping, gardens, retaining walls or drainage create damp, sheltered conditions. In some cases, they move through shared service penetrations or concealed construction gaps. Upper-level apartments are not automatically safe either. Once termites have established a hidden route through a building, they can travel upwards in wall cavities or around plumbing and electrical services.

Damage is often concealed. Unlike white ants that live openly in timber, subterranean termites generally avoid light and air. They can leave paint, plasterboard or a thin outer layer of timber looking intact while consuming material behind it. By the time an obvious hole appears, the affected area may be more extensive than expected.

This does not mean every crack, soft board or bubbling paint patch is caused by termites. Water damage, rot and building movement can create similar symptoms. That is exactly why a proper inspection matters before anyone assumes the cause or chooses a treatment.

Signs of termite activity in an apartment

Apartment residents are usually the first people to notice changes inside their home. Keep an eye out for timber that sounds hollow when tapped, doors or windows that become tight without an obvious reason, loose or blistering paint, and skirting boards that feel soft or crumble easily.

Other signs are more specific. Mud tubes may appear along walls, in garages, near storage cages, around pipes or in common areas. These narrow, earth-coloured tunnels help subterranean termites retain moisture while moving between soil and food sources. You may also find pale wings near windows, lights or balconies after warm, humid weather. These can indicate a termite swarm, although winged ants can look similar.

Do not rely on a single sign alone. A trained technician can inspect accessible timber, likely entry points, subfloors where present, roof voids, common property areas and moisture-prone locations. Depending on the building and concern, specialist termite detection equipment may help investigate concealed areas with less disruption than unnecessary invasive work.

Who is responsible for termites in a unit?

Responsibility depends on the strata plan, the location of the damage, the lease arrangement and the circumstances involved. It is not always as simple as saying termites are the owner’s problem or strata’s problem.

In many NSW strata schemes, common property may include structural elements, exterior walls, roofs, shared service areas and parts of the building fabric. If termite activity is affecting common property or has the potential to spread through the building, the owners corporation should be notified promptly. An individual lot owner may be responsible for areas within their lot, fixtures or improvements, depending on the by-laws and plan.

Tenants should notify their landlord or property manager in writing as soon as they see potential signs. Avoid waiting for a routine inspection or attempting a DIY treatment. A tenant is not generally expected to diagnose termites, but prompt reporting creates a clear record and gives the owner or manager the chance to investigate.

Property managers and strata committees should treat reports seriously even when the evidence is uncertain. A targeted inspection is usually far more practical than waiting for visible structural damage. It also helps establish whether the issue is isolated to one lot, connected to common property, or linked to broader conditions around the building.

For questions about specific legal or insurance responsibilities, check the lease, strata by-laws, building insurance details and seek appropriate professional advice. Pest inspections identify activity and risk; they do not replace legal advice or a review of strata obligations.

What to do if you suspect termites

The first priority is to leave the suspected area alone. Do not spray household insecticide, break open mud tubes, remove damaged timber or disturb insects you find. These actions can cause termites to retreat and make their active pathways harder to locate. They can also push activity into a less visible part of the building.

Take clear photos from a distance and note where and when you saw the signs. Then contact the relevant person: your landlord or property manager if you rent, or your strata manager and committee if the concern may involve common property. Lot owners should also notify strata where appropriate, particularly if the suspected location is close to shared walls, service areas or external building elements.

A professional termite inspection can determine whether activity is current, old or unrelated to termites. If live termites are confirmed, the treatment approach should suit the construction of the building, the extent of activity and the safety needs of residents. In an occupied apartment complex, access coordination and clear communication are just as important as the treatment itself.

A responsible pest professional will explain what was found, which areas were inspected, any limitations caused by inaccessible spaces, and the recommended next steps. They should also discuss treatment options in plain language, including how occupants, pets and nearby wildlife will be considered.

Treatment and prevention in apartment buildings

There is no one treatment that fits every apartment building. An isolated infestation in a timber door frame calls for a different response from termite activity linked to a ground-level common area or multiple lots. The goal is to manage the active colony, protect vulnerable timber and address the conditions that allowed concealed access.

Depending on the inspection findings, this may involve carefully targeted treatment, monitoring stations, physical or chemical barriers where suitable, remedial work to remove damaged timber, or a broader management plan for the property. Low-toxicity and environmentally considered options can be part of the approach, but they still need to be selected for proven effectiveness and applied correctly. Safety for children, pets and native wildlife should never mean leaving a serious termite risk untreated.

Prevention also involves building maintenance. Leaking pipes, poor drainage, overflowing gutters and damp planter boxes can create conditions termites favour. Timber, cardboard and stored belongings should not be packed tightly against damp walls in garages or storage areas. Where possible, keep weep holes and inspection zones visible rather than covering them with soil, mulch or stored items.

For strata-managed properties, scheduled termite inspections are a practical form of risk management, particularly for older buildings, properties near bushland, or sites with substantial gardens and ground-level timber features. Regular inspections cannot guarantee termites will never appear, but they improve the chances of detecting activity before repairs become major.

Why fast reporting protects everyone

Termites do not respect lot boundaries. A pathway that begins near a garden bed, garage or shared pipe penetration may eventually affect a ground-floor unit, adjoining wall or common-area structure. Reporting early gives owners corporations and property managers the information they need to respond proportionately rather than react to a much larger problem later.

It also protects residents from unnecessary disruption. A well-planned inspection and targeted response can often be organised around access needs, pets, children and daily routines. Clear advice matters: residents should know when a technician is arriving, what areas require access, whether any precautions are needed, and what happens after treatment.

If something in your apartment does not look or feel right, trust that instinct and have it checked. A prompt, careful inspection is a practical way to protect your home, your neighbours and the building you all share.