How to prevent and deal with creepy-crawlies in your home

No home is free from pests, but putting in a little extra effort to safeguard your house from tiny unwanted guests can make a whole lot of a difference! Whether it’s preventing bed bugs, termites or even – gulp! – snakes, pest control expert Rentokil Singapore has plenty of handy hints for preventing and dealing with common household pests.

#1 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.

Need some help?

• If you start to notice the problem a lot, call professional pest control to prevent an infestation.

#2 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.

#3 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.

#4 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.

#5 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.

#6 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!).

From now until 31 December, 2018, enjoy 10 percent off all pest management services (with a minimum spend of $400). The redemption is one-time, valid for new customers and residential premises only. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other on-going promotions. Check with sales person/surveyor about card promotion usage prior to confirming the service.

Written in collaboration with:

Rentokil Singapore
16 & 18 Jalan Mesin
6347 8138 | enquiry.sg@rentokil.com | rentokil.com.sg

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Lindsay Yap

Living in Singapore all her life, Lindsay loves finding out what's on and fun around town. Besides binge-watching sitcoms and pigging out on her favourite hawker food, she enjoys exploring new places and is constantly adding to her travel wish list!