Cockroaches have surpassed dinosaurs and have walked this planet for over 300 million years. Dealing with this notorious household pest is challenging. They are filthy, carry diseases, and can easily outlive other pests. The National Environment Agency states that cockroaches are the reasons behind the rising number of cholera and food-borne diseases in Singapore. In most cases, they’re invisible and rarely show themselves.
Here is a guide to cockroach infestation and pest control solutions in Singapore. Before jumping right into the solution, let’s learn a bit about them.
Types of Cockroaches in Singapore
Before discussing how to deal with cockroach infestation, let’s quickly understand the types of cockroaches in Singapore.
- German Cockroach
- American Cockroach
- Brown-banded Cockroach
German Cockroach -
These cockroaches are approximately 20mm long and light brown. Two dark stripes on their backs identify an adult. They can be easily found indoors, in the kitchen, and food preparation areas.
The giant German cockroaches are nightmares to everyone in restaurants and F&B outlets. Compared to the other two spices in Singapore, they're challenging to control. They are insecticide-resistant and have a high reproductive rate.
American Cockroach -
These cockroaches are 40-50mm long and most commonly found in Singapore. They have a reddish-brown body with a yellow band at their pronotum and a plate-like structure behind the head. They can be found indoors and outdoors and infest the sewer system.
Brown-banded Cockroach -
Similar in size to German cockroaches, the males are light yellowish or brown, and the females are darker in colour. The cockroach gets its name from the transverse strips on its body. They are found in homes and offices.
The life cycle of cockroaches
Cockroaches undergo metamorphosis. They come from an egg and become adults in a few instar stages. Emerged nymphs are miniature, wingless adults who must moult multiple times to reach adulthood. Various species will have varying stages and moults.
They commonly venture along the side of the wall. Interestingly, cockroaches feed on anything organic, preferably starchy food, such as mois cardboard to a piece of paper. If deprived, they are only willing to forage food far away from their nesting areas.
How to identify a cockroach infestation?
Cockroaches get active at night and seek solace during the day. Due to their late-night activities, it becomes challenging to identify a cockroach infestation. However, to maintain people's health and safety, keeping an eye on a few things to locate if your property is hosting this creature is crucial. Below are some common cockroach infestation signs that will guide you if you need an exterminator’s assistance.
- Increased visibility during daytime -
As mentioned, cockroaches emerge only when the lights go down. However, if you spot one cockroach during the daytime, take this as an ultimate sign of the infestation and seek the assistance of experts. Spotting them during the day indicates they have grown in numbers. You will find them scurry across the floor, countertops, or walls. The increased daytime activity suggests that they’ve reached their significant size. They are forced to hunt for food due to the increased population, or it's getting too crowded where they’re hiding.
- They are visible in well-lit areas -
Cockroaches prefer darker, hidden places, which is one reason their infestation goes unnoticed most of the time. Nonetheless, they are forced to come out during the day when their population has overgrown. They might still be hidden in plain sight, but be alert if you spot one in a well-lit area. This is an indication that your property is under attack. These areas could be your bathroom, office floors, or pantries. If ever you reach this stage, call a pest control expert immediately.
- Food & surface contamination
Cockroaches contaminate food and surfaces. They feed on various materials, such as crumbs, organic matter, and grease. They also leave behind saliva, faeces, and shed skin that harms human health. Look for chewed packaging, food scraps with tiny bite marks, or faecal smears on shelves and countertops. All the food that has been contaminated can cause foodborne illnesses. Thus, alert and call an expert if you see these signs.
- Sights of egg casings and shed skin -
Cockroaches reproduce rapidly. In case of infestation, their egg casings or shed skin can be seen easily on the property. Their egg casings are brown, capsule-like structures that hold multiple eggs. The casings can be found behind the appliances, in cracks or crevices, or inside the cabinets. While adulting, cockroaches leave their shed skin, also known as exoskeletons, multiple times. If you spot these, take it as a severe sign of infestation.
- Droppings -
Whether or not they emerge during the daytime, they will excrete whilst moving into your property. Their droppings look like black pepper in dark colour and have a cylindrical shape. Usually, you would find them along the wall or at the corners of the cabinets.
- Wired Smell -
Yes, cockroaches do leave a smell behind. It’s not detectable to humans, but the odour becomes prominent as the infestation gets severe. There will be a musty smell. Most people consider it a stinky smell. If you get such a smell, seek the help of an expert.
Pest Control Treatment
DIY Methods
To control cockroach infestation, one may opt for DIY methods. These include a couple of methods, one of the most common being sticky traps. Another method is pandan leaves, which comes with its challenge. The leaves release a pleasant smell that acts as a natural repellent, but once they are dried out, they act as a harbouring place for cockroaches. Thus, there might be better solutions than this if you want a permanent solution.
Professional Treatment
While DIY treatments are suitable and can temporarily prevent your property from infestation, they can’t be considered a permanent solution. It is essential to contact an expert to get rid of the infestation. ORIGIN Exterminators, with over two decades of experience, has a team of seasoned experts ready to help you reclaim your property from pests. As a professional, we will look into
- Level of infestation
- Type of species
- Their nesting or breeding site
This information allows us to thoroughly eliminate the infestation without causing further damage to your property, ensuring a comprehensive and effective solution. Contact ORIGIN for professional pest control services in Singapore.
