As one of the most commonly sighted pests in Singapore, every one of us have surely encountered a few nasty cockroaches in our homes. On top of being pesky intruders, they are carriers of diseases such as dysentery and salmonella.

Despite having a low population density, they can multiply rapidly by producing large numbers of eggs all at once. Upon doing so, they will disperse quickly and spread to different parts of your home, making it harder to exterminate them once the situation gets out of control. However, to start managing and ridding them completely, there are a few things you’ll need to know.

Common types of cockroaches

First and foremost, let’s take a look at the 4 common types of cockroaches found in Singapore. 

Brown banded cockroach

Smaller than box cockroaches, brown banded cockroaches have oval‚ shaped bodies with a narrow brown band across their abdomen. Active both in the day and night, you can catch them feeding on discarded meats and pet food no matter the time of day.

German cockroach

Fortunately, German cockroaches are roaches that do not fly. Whilst that may be so, they can adapt exceptionally well to urban environments, which is why traditional extermination treatments may not work on them. They are usually found in places such as the kitchen, trash cans, sewage treatment facilities and public conveyances.

American cockroach

Unlike German cockroaches, American cockroaches, unfortunately, possess a pair of wings to take flight. Flat with very short legs and wings, American cockroaches are easily recognisable because of their distinctive colour pattern. They have a dark brown pigment and can live for about a year, which is why some call them the “old men of the sea”.

Common habits that lead to infestation of cockroaches

Let’s be honest; we are indeed all guilty of poor lifestyle habits at times and fail to be diligent when it comes to housekeeping. Besides, these pests require minimal things for survival – mainly food, warmth, moisture and shelter – makes our home one of the best environments for its survival and propagation. Prevent this nightmare by avoiding some of the common mistakes as part of your pest control and prevention efforts.

1. Poor sanitation in kitchen

Ensure you’ve thoroughly cleaned every nook and cranny in the kitchen. Be sure to wash your dirty plates and utensils immediately after use and don’t forget to be sure your sink is free from food residues. Regularly throw your rubbish and keep whatever leftovers you have in an airtight container.

2. Not cleaning your toilet regularly

Cockroaches thrive in unsanitary places that breed bacteria, germs and the like, such as the toilet. To prevent any cockroaches from possibly breeding, you’ll want to clean and sanitise your toilet every single week.

3. Ignoring inaccessible parts

Ignoring inaccessible parts like wall cracks is one of the most significant mistakes one can make. Overlooking such areas will result in cockroaches laying eggs and multiplying rapidly. Whether it’s a small crack or hole in your wall or furniture, always look into them and ensure they’re clean. Consider closing these holes to limit the places these roaches can hide and breed in.

If hiring a cockroach pest control expert is not within your budget, take the following 6 tips into serious consideration.

1. Wash your curtains and bedding frequently

2. Keep all your food in sealed containers

3. Store all glassware with plastic covers

4. Never leave food on the countertop

5. Seal all openings, cracks and crevices around your kitchen, toilet, bathrooms, and even in bedrooms

6. Spray your floors, walls, and furniture with insecticide regularly

Remember, prevention is better than cure. It’s time to make certain lifestyle changes and break bad habits that might cause a potential cockroach infestation in your home.