Termite from cement

Tiny bugs coming from cement walls, wooden doors, and dust in Malaysia are most commonly booklice (psocids), plaster beetles, or wood-boring pests like drywood termites. Incense smoke will not stop them because they feed on microscopic mold inside damp plaster and wood or live deep inside timber. [1, 2]

How to Tell Them Apart

• Booklice (Psocids): Tiny (1–2 mm), soft-bodied, translucent white to light brown insects that crawl fast along damp walls and door frames. They do not bite or damage wood; they feed on microscopic mold thriving in high humidity. [1, 2, 3]
• Plaster Beetles: Small (1–3 mm), hard-shelled brown or reddish beetles often seen near newly plastered cement walls, door panels, or windowsills where moisture is trapped. [1]
• Wood-Boring Insects (Drywood Termites or Powderpost Beetles): If the "dust" looks like tiny uniform sand pellets or fine flour piling up directly under pinholes in the wooden door or panel, insects are eating the wood from the inside. [1, 2]

How to Get Rid of Them

• If they are Booklice or Plaster Beetles (Moisture Pests):
  • Dry out the room: Run a dehumidifier or air-conditioner (dry mode) to keep humidity below 50–55%, as they die off when the air and walls dry out.
  • Clean mold and dust: Vacuum the wall crevices, door panels, and skirting boards, then wipe surfaces with a white vinegar and water solution or anti-mold cleaner.
  • Seal gaps: Fill hairline cracks where the wooden door frame meets the cement wall using acrylic caulk or sealant. [1, 2, 3]
• If you see Wood Dust / Droppings (Termites or Wood Borers):
  • Do not use regular aerosol sprays: Surface sprays only kill a few insects on contact and push the colony deeper into the door panel.
  • Check for structural damage: Gently tap the wooden door frame to see if it sounds hollow or feels soft. If so, arrange an inspection with a local specialist like PestBusters Malaysia or Ridpest. [1, 2, 3, 4]

If you can share what the bugs or dust look like (for example, tiny moving specks vs. piles of sawdust/pellets, or if there are small holes in the wood), I can narrow down the exact pest and recommend the right treatment.

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