jIM wrote:

Yesterday a drawer full of paper was attacked. Thinking that ants
don't eat paper, my thought is a termite problem.

I think the apartment is a lost cause (we got what we paid for). My
primary concern is the couch, box springs, recliner and one dresser we
have in the apartment. How can I be sure this problem does not follow
me to our newly built house?

Unless you move the hive/nest, to include the queen, the workers will die
shortly and not be replaced.