The biggest misconception in home maintenance is this: a clean house means a pest-free home. Yes! Although clutter and dirt can vastly increase your chances of inviting pests into your home, clean and neat homes can also be susceptible to these unwanted visitors. For example, bedbugs don’t really care if your home is clean or not – their main attraction is the presence of humans as their food source.

So, no matter what state your home is in, it is crucial to be vigilant in inspecting your home regularly for hidden pests. Some areas of the home are high-risk spots that you should never forget to check. Here are some common household pests and their corresponding favourite hangout spots:

1. Mosquitoes

People living in Singapore should be no stranger to these irritating, buzzing pests. Not only do they cause annoying itches, certain species of mosquitoes also spread diseases like Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya. They are prevalent here due to the warm, tropical climate.

Hotspots: Mosquitoes are common in forested areas, and breed in stagnant water. In homes, they tend to breed in flower pots, roof gutters and clogged drains. Mozzies are attracted by carbon dioxide (which we breathe out), sweat, and body heat, and tend to be more active in darker areas (or at night).

2. Rats

Rats are more common than you think. They are often found scurrying around sewage drains and sometimes enter homes in search for food. They are considered pests due to their ability to cause physical damage by biting, as well as being a vector for diseases and contaminants.

Hotspots: Rats are exceptional hiders and very quick with their feet. Most of them hang out in drains and rubbish dumps, but some also hide within walls, dark attics or basements, and dark corners in cupboards (especially pantries, where they can find an abundance of food).

3. Bedbugs

Bedbugs are detested most of all for their ability to cause people to lose sleep, by making them itch. The thing about bedbugs is that they are so small, and multiply very quickly, making them notoriously difficult to eliminate. Thankfully, lots of pest control companies are well-versed at executing bedbug control methods that work.

Hotspots: Bedbugs, when present, tend to congregate where they can access humans for feeding. So, check your beds, sofas, cushions, blankets, and perhaps even your bags, shoes, and clothes. As they are small, they love to hide in tiny crevices like in cracks, within the joints of the bed frame, the seams of mattresses, and so on.

4. Termites

Termites are every homeowner’s fear, as they can wreak havoc in homes and cause massive damages to wooden furniture, precious items, and books. Apart from the structural damage they can cause, they also cause people to lose lots of money having to replace items or fix their home.

Hotspots: When conducting a termite inspection, you can’t miss out checking all your wooden furniture, structures, and any place with lots of books, cardboard, or newspaper. You should also inspect walls near the ground for their mud tubes, which connect their food source to their home underground.

5. Cockroaches

Cockroaches are known to be very hardy creatures, which explains why they can be so tough to get rid of. Besides their unsightly nature, cockroaches can trigger allergies, contaminate food, and spread dirt around your home. Some cockroaches even destroy items by chewing into them, such as clothes, plastic bags, paper boxes, and more.

Hotspots: Cockroaches love dark and damp areas. They are frequently found deep in dark cupboards, amidst clutter, under the sink, in garbage bins, or in the sewer drains.

Conclusion

Now that you know where to look for these pests, it’s time to give your home a thorough inspection! Regular inspection is important as it helps to detect any infestations early. If you have found a pest situation in your home that’s getting out of control, don’t hesitate to call up a pest control company in Singapore to nip the problem in the bud.