Common Pests that Infest Living Spaces in Singapore

The notion of co-existing with pests in your own home is always unsettling, and we’re certainly right to feel this way; after all, household pests, however domesticated the term sounds, are harbingers of diseases and can also cause extensive damage to your property if not dealt with timely enough. While store-bought traps and repellents are enough to combat a small number of pests, a full-blown infestation at home requires the expertise of professional pest control in Singapore. With that in mind, here are 5 common household pests and the potential hazards that they bring to both health and home if they’re allowed to roam about.

Mosquitoes

Singapore is a tropical country, and its year-round humidity creates an ideal environment for mosquitoes to thrive. Amongst them is the notorious aedes mosquito, and the reason why potentially fatal dengue clusters are regularly reported and advisory notices can be found plastered in HDB lifts. These mosquitoes are often attracted to stale, still water, from the puddle around your flower pots to stagnant water accumulated in clogged drains and hidden crevasses. To do your part in our fight against dengue, always check for still puddles around your home, and for hard-to-reach areas, consider engaging professional pest control in Singapore to help. After all, we will truly never know if the next mosquito bite will be from a dengue-carrying aedes mosquito. 

Termites

Have you recently noticed that a particular window or door feels stuck or is much harder to open and shut; or found damage under paint or wallpaper; or even discarded wings? If so, you might be having a termite infestation in your home. Typically, the most common termite species you will encounter in homes is subterranean termites. As the name suggests, they come from soil and are therefore attracted to damp conditions, so if you have water leakages or waterproofing issues in your home, the risk of attracting these pests is considerably higher. Additionally, mouldy or rotting wood is also a magnet for them, as it requires less effort to eat through. While termites aren’t directly harmful to one’s health, some may be allergic to termite saliva or droppings. The more concerning consequence is the potential structural damage that termites can inflict on your home. This is why you shouldn’t hesitate to seek termite pest control in Singapore the moment you find traces of them around the house.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are more feared for their psychological impact than anything else, mainly because like their name suggests, they infest the most sacred part of your home — the bed, and the thought of falling asleep in the same place where these pests are lurking is extremely unnerving. Bed bugs are often brought into your home from frequent travel (as they can be commonly found in hotels, taxis, and aeroplanes), and can also hitch a ride through luggages, wallets, and backpacks, making it easy for cross-infestation to occur. Bed bugs do not spread diseases to human beings, but just like termites, some people might be allergic to or catch an infection from their bites. Taking steps like wearing covered pyjamas can prevent them from biting you, but it doesn’t eradicate the infestation. They’re usually tough to get rid of, and it’s better to get professional pest control in Singapore with the experience and tools to properly deal with them.

Cockroaches

The absolute bane of our existence, cockroaches are one of the most common and nightmarish household pests that we’ve had the misfortune of encountering. Like most pests, cockroaches enter your home in search of the holy trinity of food, shelter, and water, and are particularly enticed by dirty plates left unwashed or crumbs and other food particles on the floor. An infestation begins when these cockroaches start to build a nest and breed in your home, and is probably something you wouldn’t even wish on your worst enemy. Cockroaches often come from filthy places like rubbish heaps and sewage drains, so it goes without saying that they will spread said filth all over your home, contaminating everything their spindly legs scutter over, including your food. They also leave behind droppings, urine, and shed skin that can trigger reactions like asthma, respiratory conditions, and skin rash. Cockroaches are also infamously resilient and can travel to other homes to start another infestation, which is why infestations should be dealt with promptly. If you sense an impending battle with one, consider seeking help from cockroach pest control in Singapore.

Rodents

Rodent infestations might not be as commonsight, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t exist. Several internal and external factors contribute to these furry critters breaking into your home, from living in close proximity to rubbish chutes, to a lack of proper housekeeping. Unfortunately, unlike bed bugs, rodents actually pose a direct threat to your health as they are biological vectors for human pathogens that can cause serious diseases, such as the sometimes fatal hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS); the plague (yes, rodents have been spreading this since the Middle Ages), and tularemia, which can cause swelling in your lymph nodes. Rodents are also capable of chewing through wiring and creating holes in your walls, making them one of the most destructive pests you can encounter. Rodent infestations should not be taken lightly, and you should always turn to professional pest control in Singapore for help.

Ridpest is a professional pest control company in Singapore with over 40 years of experience in dealing with the many threats posed by pest infestations, be it in residential, commercial, or industrial settings. We are also well trained and equipped in eradicating a wide variety of pests, from cockroaches to mosquitoes, to rodents. To learn more about our services and how we can solve your troublesome pest problems, do visit our website.