A melting pot of cultures, Singapore also happens to be a “safe haven” for pests. Insects thrive in the city state’s tropical climate and highly humid environment. No matter where you live in Singapore, you are likely to be troubled by an array of insects all year round.
Surely, insects help maintain the balance of the ecosystem, but they also cause lots of inconveniences. Apart from physical damage to your belongings and property, pests are also notorious for spreading various diseases, the impacts of which can be as severe as death.
For this reason, it is critical to impose control on and, where possible, exterminate pests from your home and neighbourhood. But first, you need to identify what kind of insects may be bothering you. In this article, you can get an overview of some of the most common pests in Singapore and also learn how you can ward them off.
Common House Pests in Singapore
Cockroaches
Don’t you just hate smelly, greasy, and creepy things? Cockroaches are a physical embodiment of all of those and much more. These filthy-looking pests live in your home and make those intimate corners their own. Not only do roaches look repulsive, but they also carry germs and diseases.
A cockroach attack can become even more severe when they start flapping their wings and flying. Definitely one of the most common pests in Singapore, you can control the cockroach population in your house by maintaining good basic hygiene.
Flies
It is not uncommon for homes and business premises in Singapore to be infested by flies. Flies are everywhere. They reproduce quickly and multiply in population rapidly. Flies can cause various health concerns as they can spread diseases too. They do not even require any specific food to survive. They can feed on anything and also tend to pick up and transfer germs from any surface they touch.
To make matters worse, there is not just one type of fly to be found in Singapore. There are several common species of flies, including houseflies, fruit flies, bluebottle flies, flesh flies, sandflies, and small dung flies.
Termites
Termites are small insects that look harmless but can cause damage worth thousands if left unchecked. They are in the habit of devouring wood. They can damage not only your wooden furniture but also ceilings, floors, and walls that are made from wood.
What’s worse is termites often leave little sign of damage on the exterior of any object they are attacking. So, you may not even know you have a termite problem in your house until the vandalisation becomes extreme. Common signs of termite infestation include swollen ceilings and floors, buckling wood, and a sweet mildew smell. If you notice any of these signs, ensure you get rid of the termites at the earliest to stop any further damage.
Ants
Where there is food, there are ants. So, there are very few places safe from the wrath of ants. Singapore’s humid climate makes it extra comfortable for ants. Even though ants are not as damaging as termites, ants spread diseases the same way flies do.
Ants typically live underground or in plant cavities and dead wood. However, ants are often found in Singapore homes – where they come in search of food particles and sweet foods.
Mosquitoes
The World Health Organization considers mosquitoes to be among the deadliest animals. With the ability to cause deadly diseases such as dengue, zika, malaria, and yellow fever, mosquitoes cause millions of deaths around the world annually.
Singapore’s warm and humid climate makes this tropical country a good breeding ground for pesky mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are active all year round in the country, but they are more active in the warmer months, from May to September.
Bed Bugs
Bed Bugs are another concerning pest in Singapore. These bugs do not spread diseases, but they can cause severe discomfort – especially when one is sleeping. Bed bugs can also cause allergic reactions. What’s most concerning is that bed bugs migrate effortlessly, so you can get bed bugs from a piece of recycled furniture or even a neighbouring apartment.
Rats
Rats flourish in places where there is sufficient water, food, and shelter. They tend to breed in areas with poorly maintained waste disposal systems, uncleared feeding for stray animals, improper food waste disposal, and poor housekeeping – all of which make the urban regions of Singapore an ideal location for rats to flourish.
A rat problem should never be ignored, and you should immediately get rid of rats as they can pose serious health risks. Not only do the rodents contaminate food, but they can also cause damage to infrastructure.
Lizards
If you are squeamish, you definitely hate lizards. But, no matter which part of Singapore you live in, you might often see lizards creeping around your home. Lizards live on insects such as spiders, flies, and mosquitoes in your house. They also love to nibble on vegetables and fruits, so you may also spot lizards on your kitchen countertop if not kept clean.
How Can You Keep The Common House Pests Away
The top tip for keeping pests away is to keep your home clean. Simply by regularly cleaning dirt, clutter, and food particles from your house, you can reduce the chances of any pest infestation. Pay extra attention to keeping the kitchen clean as it is most prone to an influx of insects. While you are at it, don’t forget to clean your garden and yard, as insect populations in surrounding areas can also invade your house.
Also, pay heed to how you are storing food. Do not leave vegetables and fruits out for too long. Store dry and cooked food in airtight containers to keep insects away.
Regular garbage disposal is another important step toward preventive pest control. Ideally, you should dispose of garbage every single day as the accumulation of waste can facilitate the growth of rats, ants, and cockroach populations.
One of the best pest prevention tips is to keep your home dry. Clean dirty surfaces immediately and change stagnant waters like those in plant pots regularly.
Pests love to live in dirty, dark, and cosy environments. Simply by decluttering your house, you can reduce hiding spots for pests. Move furniture away from walls and discard anything you do not need.
Finally, pay attention to gaps and holes in walls, floors, etc. Seal possible insect entry points with caulk, cement, etc., as much as possible. In addition to restricting entry into your house, this will also make it easier to get rid of the existing insect population in your house. Also, to keep the pest problem in check, you can schedule pest control regularly.
Final Thoughts
There are many perks to living in the tropical garden city that Singapore is, but it also comes with many downsides – including the nuisance caused by a variety of pests. The warm climate of Singapore makes it suitable for all kinds of pests – from mosquitoes to rats. Some of the most common pests you may be faced with are bed bugs, lizards, rats, termites, ants, cockroaches, and mosquitoes. While 100% prevention cannot be attained, you can reduce the likelihood of pest infestations by keeping your home clean, well-managed and engaging pest control services.
