Are you ready for some uninvited guests? Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is home to a variety of crawling, flying and skittering pests that love to make themselves at home in your apartment. From cockroaches and ants to mice and rats – there’s no shortage of unwelcome visitors! Read on to learn who these most hated pests are, what they look like, why they’re around and ways to prevent them.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are small, oval-shaped parasitic insects that feed exclusively on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals. These pests are mostly active at night and feed by piercing the skin of their hosts with two hollow tubes. Bed bugs may bite multiple times in one location or in several areas of the body. Bed bugs can travel quickly from room to room and can hide in bed frames, mattresses, baseboards, behind headboards, under furniture, wallpaper and in suitcases.
Bed bugs typically hide during the day but will emerge at night to feed on their host. They like to live close to their food source, so they’re commonly found in mattresses and surrounding areas like sheets and box springs as these provide a safe hiding place for them. They can also be found inside cracks and crevices of bed frames or behind wall plates or picture frames.
It is important to immediately identify bed bug infestations as early detection is key to successful removal. Signs of a bed bug infestation include:
- Finding dark spots (droppings) on mattresses or furniture pieces.
- Reddish stains left by crushed bugs on sheets, pillow cases or other upholstered items they use as hiding places.
- Small white eggs that are usually laid in batches near areas where they tend to harbor such as mattresses seams and box springs crevices.
Rodents
Rodents are one of the most despised pests, causing damage to property and exasperation for homeowners alike. With small, agile bodies and their uncanny ability to squeeze into impossibly tight spaces, rodents are extremely difficult to control. The type of rodent found in Malaysian dwellings is usually the house mouse or the brown rat, both of which can cause significant destruction.
The presence of a rodent infestation is usually easy to determine as they leave behind their distinct smelly droppings, sometimes along with their chewed-through materials or nests made from shredded fabrics and paper. Rodent droppings can be dangerous as they may contain viruses harmful to humans such as Salmonella, Hantavirus and E Coli.
To prevent a rodent problem from becoming out of control, it’s best to address it early on with extermination methods such as:
- Traps may involve live traps where owners can catch mice and rats in a cage – this method often involves releasing the trapped rodents elsewhere away from dwellings.
- Baits containing poison will help reduce the population over time while an exterminator may be necessary if your home has been particularly targeted by these pesky pests.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are extremely hardy insects that can survive in even the toughest of environments. These pesky critters have been around for millions of years, and they’re still surviving in urban areas today. In Kuala Lumpur apartments, cockroaches can be found lurking in dark corners and under refrigerators or other appliances. They often come out at night to scavenge for food, leaving behind droppings or sweet-smelling secretions called “cockroach frass.” This makes them a health hazard as well as an unpleasant sight to behold.
Cockroaches come in a variety of colors, including reddish-brown and black. And they range in size from tiny baby cockroaches to adults that are up to an inch long – which makes them very difficult to spot! The notorious German Cockroach is also known to infest Kuala Lumpur apartments, where it can reproduce quickly due to the ideal temperature and humid climate.
The best way to keep cockroaches out is by keeping your apartment clean and free from crumbs or excess moisture. Make sure you seal any cracks or crevices around your windows and doorways where these unwelcome guests could sneak through. Regularly vacuum your apartment too – doing this at least once a week will help remove any eggs or larvae that these pests could be hiding among the dust and debris on your floors. Finally, using insecticides specifically designed for use against roaches will provide an added layer of protection against any cockroach invasions.
Ants
Ants are one of the most annoying and most widely encountered nuisance pests in apartments throughout Kuala Lumpur. Ants typically invade in large numbers and can infest cupboards, counters, floors, carpets, walls, bathroom and kitchen areas. The most common ant species to invade Kuala Lumpur living spaces are ghost ants, pharaoh ants, and pavement ants.
Ants enter homes and apartments in search of food sources. Large units with shared walls or a number of people living together can result in over-fertilized soil for plants or other food sources indoors which attract them.
The most effective way to remove an ant colony from your home is using professional pest control services in Kuala Lumpur that will remove the entire colony from your living space through a combination of:
- Poison baits
- Ant traps
- Identification of entry points so they can be sealed off.
Flies
Flies are one of the most common and unpleasant pests to appear in homes and apartments. These insects can be found almost anywhere, but are especially problematic in Kuala Lumpur, where heat and humidity create perfect conditions for them. Flies are attracted to any kind of food or drink left out, so it is important to wipe up spills immediately and cover all food items tightly when they are not being served.
Additionally, fly traps are an effective solution; they contain bait that attracts the pest before trapping it inside, usually harmlessly killing it. Regularly cleaning walls, windowsills, steps and porch decks can also help repel flies since these surfaces tend to attract them due to their warmth. Additionally, keeping window screens repaired will prevent flies from entering your apartment.
Conclusion
Pest infestation can be one of the most nerve-wracking problems every homeowner has to face. Fortunately, there are some preventative measures you should take to dramatically reduce the risk of a pest problem.
Start by removing potential areas providing shelter and food for pests, such as standing water and rubbish piles. Regular maintenance of your drains, septic tanks and pipelines will also help prevent infestations. It’s also a good idea to seal up any suspect areas around windows or doors that may let pests inside your home.
Finally, consider engaging a professional pest control specialist who can help you handle any current invasions or provide ongoing protection against future ones.