No home is free from mould and pests, but putting in a little extra effort to safeguard your house from tiny unwanted guests can make a whole lot of a difference! From mould prevention, to getting rid of bed bugs, termites or even – gulp! – snakes, pest control expert Rentokil Singapore has plenty of handy tips to keeping a safe, clean home.
#1 Mould
If your house has a musty smell, then you can be assured that mould is present in your home. While black mould is easy to spot, white mould- which is common is virtually invisible and more harmful to our health than the black variety.
Mould needs three key things to proliferate – water from humidity, warm temperature & organic material such as dust, clothing or paper that it feeds on. Cluttered rooms which hinder air circulation, dust accumulation (food for mould), and opening windows after continuous aircon use (increase in condensation) encourage mould growth as well.
Keeping them away:
- For mould prevention, place moisture absorbers in wardrobes and shoe/bag cabinets.
- Place a spare sheet over the top of bedding to protect against potential mould spores landing and growing on top of the bedding.
- If your mould problem is less than 2 square metres, you can attempt to treat the mould yourself with the help of mould removal and prevention products from Mouldgone.
- To ensure your home is safe from mould, regular/annual cleaning should undertaken inside and out of all
cupboards, wardrobes and shoe cabinets.
Need some help?
- Seek professional help from Mouldgone for a thorough review of your premises. They will also provide suggestions on how to halt the source of the problem, setting up a mould treatment plan for mould removal, offering aftercare products and a to-do list for mould prevention.
#2 Rodents, cockroaches and ants
We’re pretty sure you’ve seen these little creatures scuttling about your house once in a while! The reason why they appear is because they’re attracted to food waste and spills.
Keeping them away:
- Ensure you use a bin with a lid so pests won’t be able to locate food waste.
- Remove any unwanted food and debris, and don’t leave food out in the open.
- Practise good housekeeping such as storing food in airtight containers.
- Seal all windows, doors, cracks and crevices.
- Keep boxes off the floor and minimise clutter – keep your home clean and safe!
Need some help?
- If you start to notice the problem a lot, call professional pest control to prevent an infestation.
#3 Bed bugs
Bed-bug infestations are typically caused by cross-infestation. It can be because of global travel, transferring on different modes of transportation or even cross-contamination when using second-hand goods or furniture.
Keeping them away:
- Wash your bedsheets, curtains and clothes (and even stuffed toys) frequently in high heat.
- Vacuum carpets, fabric drapes and upholstered furniture regularly.
- Pull beds away from walls.
- Frequently inspect your sheets layer by layer.
- Do not place luggage near to your bed.
- Separate dirty and clean linens.
Need some help?
- As bed bugs are tiny, it’s easy to miss their hiding spots. Get professional help to remove them completely rather than using DIY methods that are less effective and have higher risk of recurrence.
#4 Ticks and fleas
Pet owners take note! If you’ve noticed your fur-kids scratching themselves more often than usual, they might have ticks or fleas. These little creatures feed on blood to survive and can transmit diseases.
Keeping them away:
- Vacuum your carpets, furnishings and upholstered furniture.
- Groom your pets regularly with a flea comb and clean their beds weekly.
- Invest in repellent for greater protection.
Need some help?
- Seek treatment before the problem gets out of control. If not, you’ll be placing your pet and other animals in danger.
#5 Snakes
If you live in near a forested area or have a garden, there’s a higher chance of coming across snakes on your property.
Keeping them away:
- Keep rodents away as snakes prey on them.
- Keep grass short and trimmed.
- Place fitting fences or walls around your home and seal up cracks to restrict entry points.
- Remove clutter around the home, yard or garden to prevent snakes from settling in.
Need some help?
- Stay away and don’t handle a snake on your own as it could retaliate if threatened. Call a pest control company for professional help.
#6 Termites
Termites, or white ants, chew and feed on wood. Over time, ceilings, walls and structures can get damaged, resulting in a risk of collapse.
Keeping them away:
- Fix broken tiles to avoid collecting moisture that attracts termites.
- Fix leaking pipes that’s a source of moisture favourable for termites.
- Wooden logs, overgrown plants and mulch encourage termites; clear any debris that may encourage that.
- Seal cracks and crevices.
Need some help?
- Do not disturb or break any termite mud tubes as they will shift to another location when disturbed.
- Get a pest control company to conduct a comprehensive termite inspection using heat technology to detect the presence of termites and exterminate them.
#7 Mosquitoes
Singapore is no stranger to mosquitoes. They breed in stagnant waters in warm conditions and transmit critical diseases such as dengue and Zika.
Keeping them away:
- Clear stagnant water to remove the breeding source.
- Clear trash, piles of dried leaves and clutter in your yard or garden.
- Keep your rooms cool.
Need some help?
- While there are home remedies to repel mosquitoes, such as the use of lemongrass, it’s more crucial to eliminate breeding grounds. Get professional help to get rid of these, and you’ll reduce your chance of getting dengue (and of being fined by the NEA!).
Written in collaboration with:
Rentokil Singapore
16 & 18 Jalan Mesin
6347 8138 | enquiry.sg@rentokil.com
rentokil.com.sg
Read on for more helpful tips on living in Singapore!
The expat’s guide to where to live in Singapore
How to apply for PR in Singapore
Getting settled in Singapore: 3 must-do’s!
