Ants
Types of Ants
In Singapore a few common found Ants are :
- Ghost Ants (Sugar Ants)
- Pharaoh’s ants
- Crazy ants
- Carpenter ants
Problems caused by Ants:
For most people, ants become a problem when they enter buildings in search of food and water, or when they build their nests in buildings or gardens
The majority of ants are scavengers and are attracted to a wide range of foods, including those containing sugars, proteins, fats or oils. Typically, ants will forage alone for food or water however when a food source is found, they will return to the nest to recruit additional ants to help gather the food. This can result in large numbers of ants appearing in a short period of time.
How to control Ants:
Although hard to destroy the nests must be eradicated if infestations are to be controlled. Insecticide treatments and baits can be applied around and in the nest.
Rodent / Rats
Types of Rodents:
There are 4 main species of commensal rodents in Singapore:
- Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus)
- Roof Rat (Rattus rattus diardii)
- Polynesian Rat (Rattus exulans)
- House Mouse (Mus musculus)
Problems caused by Rodents:
Rats are a world wide pest, spreading disease and causing structural damage. Rodents are serious health hazards especially in food and beverage outlets.
How to control rodents:
Rodenticides, foam based products, gels, traps, perimeter bait stations, liquid baits, glue boards & gassing treatments. One off jobs or regular service treatments.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs species most commonly found in Singapore that readily bite humans are :
- Cimex lectularius.
Adult bedbugs are 4-5 mm in length, wingless and uniformly mahogany in colour. They have well developed walking legs with efficient tarsal claws for clinging onto the host during feeding.
Female bedbugs lay eggs throughout their life. They generally produce around 2 to 3 per day and since they can live for many weeks, indeed months, each female could produce 400-500 eggs during their lifetime. Eggs are deposited all around the environment in which they live and are small and white or whitish/yellow about 1 mm long.
Problems caused by Bedbugs:
The close association of bedbugs with human beings means that they can cause substantial nuisance through their blood feeding habit. They feed at night on the human hosts as they sleep.
If the infestation is high there can be a risk of anaemia being suffered by the human hosts, although this is rare. The nuisance and itching caused by the bites and the possibility of secondary infection is more common. Cats, chickens and other domesticated animals may also be attacked.
How to control bedbugs:
A thorough inspection should be made to determine the extent and source of the infestation. All harbourages should be treated with a residual insecticide. A very thorough treatment is needed as harbourages are diverse and difficult to detect.
Mosquitoes
Types of Mosquitos
In Singapore a few common Mosquitos are :
- Aedes aegypti
- Aedes albopictus
- Culex quinquefasciatus
- Culex tritaeniorhynchus
- Culex gelidus
- Anopheles maculatus
- Anopheles sundaicus
Problems caused by Mosquitos :
Mosquito-borne diseases become the result of being bitten by a mosquito. The illnesses are very severe, and if not treated with a sense of urgency, they can result in the death the people infected. Below are some of the diseases spread by mosquitoes in Singapore.
How to control Mosquitos :
- Remove stagnant water to prevent them from becoming breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes.
- Clean and discard any dried leaves that may prevent water stagnation.
- Cover all water items to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
- Clean and clear drains around the house on weekly basis o prevent water stagnation
Cockroaches
Types of Cockroaches
The 3 main species of cockroaches which can be found in our Singapore homes and businesses are:
- American cockroach (Periplaneta Americana)
- Brown banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa)
- German cockroach (Blatella germanica)
Problems caused by cockroaches:
Cockroaches are common in commercial premises associated with the production of food. They are nocturnal and spend the day hiding in cracks and crevices. They can carry diseases such as dysentery, gastroenteritis, typhoid and poliomyelitis.
How to control cockroaches:
Insect monitors, regular treatments of insecticidal spray and baits can be used but hygiene management also plays a big part.
Termites
Types of Termites:
The three most common groups of termites inSingapore are:
- Subterranean Termite (Coptotermes spp.)
- Drywood Termite (Cryptotermes spp.)
- Dampwood Termite (Neotermes spp.)
Problems caused by Termites:
Termites live and work together in large groups known as colonies. They are divided in to various groups known as: Queen, King, Soldiers, Workers and Alates. The Queen is the reproductive sources of the colony, she ensures replenishment and further growth of the colony.
How to control Termites:
The objective of the treatment is to termite proof a building against termite infestation by creating a Termicidal barrier around the perimeter ground beams and columns of the building. In order to reach the soil under the slab of the building, it is necessary to drill holes through the slab and then injection of Termicidal chemical is applied.
