Pests truly live up to their name. Not only do they carry a variety of diseases that can be deadly, but they can also cause allergies and house damages that may cost you a fortune!
Common house pests in Malaysia like cockroaches can spread multiple diseases fast. Rats can carry extremely serious diseases like rabies and hantavirus. Insects can be vectors for dengue fever, salmonella, strep, Lyme disease and more.
If you’re wondering why your allergies aren’t getting any better, you probably have these pests to thank as they can also carry allergens into your home. Apart from their faeces that can cause allergic reactions, with dust mite dander and droppings being some of the most common indoor allergens, their shed skins can pollute your indoor air as well.
On top of all that, pests can also cause house damages, which will eventually devalue your property if the pest infestation is left untreated. Depending on pest types, some of the potential house damages caused by them include structural, fire, furniture, bedding, pillow and mattress damages.
House damages can devalue your home. Structural damage, for example, poses safety risks; who’d want to live in a house that can collapse at any moment? You might have a hard time finding a willing buyer with a good offer.
Find out if you need pest control for your home.
1. Damages caused by ants
Ants are a nuisance, and their bites can be itchy or painful. Some types can even cause damages. For example, pharaoh ants will infest your food which leads to contamination, while carpenter ants will infest building materials like foam insulation and wood, causing serious structural damage to your home.
How to spot an ant infestation
These are the signs of ant infestation:
- If you see small piles of wood shavings, there’s a possible carpenter ant infestation.
- If you often see ants in your home (in large numbers), there’s likely an ant colony somewhere.
When to call a professional
Stop wasting time from experimenting with DIY ant control! Call a professional immediately if you spot ants coming out of crevices or flying ants with large wings (which indicate that a large colony has been established in your home). This is to avoid worse infestation as these pest control experts will help with a long term solution and to prevent re-infestation.
Infestation prevention
Prevent ant infestation with these tips:
- Cover all food and store them appropriately.
- Ensure your rubbish bins are tightly sealed. Cover your compost properly.
- Seal all crevices and cracks around your window frames and doors.
- Clean up any food crumbs or spillages quickly.
2. Damages caused by cockroaches
Despite their small size, cockroaches strike fear in many. While they may not cause much damage to your home, they can pose health risks. Untreated cockroach infestations could turn potential home buyers off because of their pungent smell and ‘psychological damage’ (who wants to stay in a house filled with this creepy crawlies running around?).
How to spot a cockroach infestation
These are the signs of a cockroach infestation:
- Roach droppings throughout the home (especially under the sinks and inside the pantry).
- Dead cockroaches or cockroach body parts strewn about.
When to call a professional
Consider calling a pest control expert if you notice an oily and pungent smell in your home. These experts are better acquainted with the enemy than you are as they are equipped with techniques to end an infestation forever!
Infestation prevention
Prevent cockroach infestation with these tips:
- Seal entry points including cracks, pipes, and gaps around the doors so that cockroaches won’t be able to hide or gain access to your home.
- De-clutter your home and remove all the things that may help cockroaches hide, for example, stacks of old boxes or newspapers.
- Clean up any food crumbs or spillages immediately.
- Cover and store away your food tightly.
- Ensure your rubbish bins are tightly sealed.
3. Damages caused by termites
Termites devalue your property as they weaken your home structure (with damages on the property’s structure, wall, furniture, and even carpet). Such damages not only pose safety risks, but they also lower the aesthetic appeal of your home. A prolonged, untreated termite infestation may force you to fork out thousands of Ringgit for repair and renovation.
How to spot a termite infestation
These are the signs of a termite infestation:
- Papery or hollow sounding timber.
- Tight-fitting doors and hard-to-open windows.
- Sawdust debris and wood damage.
- Bouncy and spongy floors.
When to call a professional
Achieve a termite-free home by calling a professional when you see cracks in your ceilings, walls, beams or rafters. The pest control experts will inspect your home to check how bad the infestation is. This is important to determine what kind of termite control treatment is suitable for your home. The treatments might involve chemical methods where it will be applied under flooring, soil and around the perimeter of your home as an effective protective barrier against termites.
Infestation prevention
Prevent termite infestation with these tips:
- Termites thrive on moisture. Ensure there is no build-up of moisture in your home (fix any leaks in your home, as they may build up moisture).
- Fill in any cracks found on your property.
- Don’t put wood in direct contact with soil.
4. Damages caused by rats
Rats are carriers of serious diseases. They also love to chew on almost everything, including your electrical wires. Chewed electrical wires could lead to short circuits, which may start house fires. Besides posing health and safety risks, this will also lead to costly repair or renovation.
How to spot a rat infestation
These are the signs of a rat infestation:
- Footprints in dusty areas of your property.
- Burrows in garages, garden sheds or compost heaps.
- Scratching noises from the ceiling, particularly at night.
- Dark marks and smudges on surfaces.
- Bite marks on plastic, wood and even food packaging.
- Rat droppings.
When to call a professional
Nope, not that rat Remy in Ratatouille! Proper rodent management can help to avoid infestation and diseases. It is best to call a pest control expert who has the tools and knowledge to get mice and rats out of your house. Usually, these experts will seal up access point and then find the rat’s nest and burrow that might be inside your house. Then, they will set up rat baits stations and traps. Also, follow up treatment is required there is still signs of rats presence.
Infestation prevention
Prevent rat infestation with these tips:
- Ensure food, pet food, and rubbish bins are securely contained.
- If you have trees with fruits, make sure to regularly pick them up to eliminate food sources for rats.
- Clean up your outdoor area, including the drains.
- Rat-proof your vents, windows and doors.
- Getting rid of water is also a great idea as rats need to drink about ½ ounce to 1 ounce of water each day.
READ: How to get rid of mice
5. Damages caused by bed bugs
In addition to making you super itchy, bed bugs may cause damage to your beddings, pillows, and mattresses. They can also ruin your clothes.
How to spot a bed bug infestation
These are the signs of a bed bug infestation:
- Musty odour.
- Bloodstains on pillowcases or bed sheets.
- Brown to black stains on linens and mattresses.
- Shed skins and eggshells found in their hiding spots (e.g. mattresses, bed frames, beddings, furniture, carpets, and baseboards).
When to call a professional
If you frequently wake up with itchy areas you didn’t have before you fall asleep, then it is time to hire an expert! Bed bugs are tricky to get rid off! Getting professional help will increase your chances of a bed bug-free home. There are two common treatments for bed bugs – a whole room heat treatment and insecticide treatment. The heat treatment is usually for prevention measure while insecticide is very effective to get rid of this pest. However, call a pest control company for advice on the safe handling of pesticides.
Infestation prevention
Prevent bed bug infestation with these tips:
- De-clutter your sleeping area.
- Seal off any cracks and openings.
- Vacuum your bed area often.
- Remove bed bugs by scrubbing the mattress seams using a stiff brush.
- Wash clothing, curtains, linens, and beddings with hot water and dry them (preferably at the highest setting).
6. What happens when you call a professional?
Here’s what typically happens:
- A thorough inspection is performed at your property, based on your availability.
- Once every area of your property has been inspected, the pest control expert will discuss the severity of the infestation, the recommended treatment (and frequency of treatment), and advice on preventing the infestation.
- You will receive a quote for the treatment mentioned.
7. How much does a pest control service cost?
In Malaysia, these services may range from as low as RM 60 up to RM 5,000 per treatment. It also depends on factors such as the number of treatment required, the size of your property, the type of treatment chosen, the size of the infestation and the type of pest.
These are the average costs for pest control services (per treatment):
- Ants and cockroaches: From RM 60 – RM 300++
- Termites: From RM 1,000 – RM 5,000
- Rats: From RM 150 – RM 600++
- Bed bugs: From RM3 00 – RM 700
ALSO READ: How to repel mosquitos naturally and treat bites
The only way to find out how much it really costs is to book an inspection and get a quote. Most service providers offer free inspection and a complimentary quote. They may even offer packages that could help you save more.
Take control of your household pests as soon as possible. Don’t wait until it’s too late. For more tips on household maintenance, check out our lifestyle guide on iproperty.com.my.
Edited by Rebecca Hani Romeli