How to Get Rid of Household Pests in the Philippines: What You Need to Know
Household pests can be more than just a nuisance – they can pose serious health risks and significant property damage. No matter how small, all types of pests, from ants to rodents to termites, require proactive measures to prevent infestations.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the most common household pests in the Philippines before exploring proven strategies for keeping them away and getting rid of them.
How to Eliminate Different Household Pests in the Philippines
Sun Tzu says, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” Guarding your home from a variety of pests is a constant battle in a setting you already know, so what’s left is to know who you’re up against. Let’s get to know the pests Philippine households typically contend with:
Flies
Flies are the most ubiquitous types of pests around the world. They fly about and land on people, things, and food. Most people dismiss them as simply incredibly annoying pests because of their buzzing sound. However, these little insects are potent disease carriers.
During their short lifespan – about 15 to 30 days – flies land on so many kinds of surfaces like trash, feces, decaying substances, and food. When they do so, they stick more than a hundred different pathogens to them—most of which can cause serious diseases, such as tuberculosis and salmonella. These pathogens can then infect people when they unknowingly eat the food or touch surfaces that flies have contaminated.
What Causes a Fly Infestation
Flies are attracted to exposed food, rotting food scraps, exposed garbage, pet waste, and other rotting organic matter. They often lay their eggs on these things as well.
However, even if you keep your house free of these things, flies may enter your home through unscreened doors and windows, as well as other cracks or openings.
How to Get Rid of Flies at Home
- Prevent infestations by keeping doors and windows closed or protected by screens.
- Maintain the cleanliness of your property – keep food covered, cover and clean any garbage, and dispose of decaying food or organic matter – so they don’t find food or breeding sites.
- Garlic cloves and black pepper seeds have also been found to be effective at repelling house flies and have adverse effects on the development and survival of larvae.
- Set up fly traps to catch them and prevent them from contaminating various items and from multiplying.
- Set up an electric zapper that’s designed to attract and kill common household insects in the Philippines.
- Using pesticides can also eliminate them and deter other flies from entering your property.
Termites
Termites are arguably one of the most destructive among all household pests. These little critters often invade properties and cause damage to structures without you noticing. They build nests under the ground or inside wooden structures and then consume wood.
What Attracts Termites to Properties
Termites are attracted to moisture and wood or cellulose products they can consume. So, if you have wooden structures or furniture at home, they must be kept dry to make them less appealing to termites.
Cracks and gaps in your house allow termites to sneak into your home unnoticed. They can creep into your house’s foundations by going through these small flaws in your home.
Signs of Termite Infestation
- Discarded wings
- Mounds and mud tunnels
- Dirt or mud on or around wood
- Clicking noises in walls
- Termite droppings that look like small black pellets or dark powdery substances
- Hollowed wood or wooden furniture
- Buckling paint
- Blowholes in trees
How to Get Rid of Termites
- Anti-termite treatment for soil and wood
- Termite Bait
- Fix water leaks
- Clean property of dirt and clutter
- Regular check-ups and termite control
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are another common sighting inside and outside houses in the Philippines. They are said to be the most resilient type of pests, potentially even capable of surviving a nuclear war due to their high radiation resistance and ability to hide between crevices.
Cockroaches are nocturnal beings so they live and feed in the dark. They typically sneak into homes through drains and other crevices and then hide behind refrigerators, cabinets, sinks, and other dark areas.
This common household pest does not pose structural dangers but they do pose health risks because they carry antigens that trigger asthma attacks and germs that can cause salmonella, cholera, and diarrhea.
What Causes a Cockroach Infestation
- Cockroaches are attracted to places with lots of hiding spots like piles of boxes or books and various types of clutter that are left untouched for long periods.
- Food scraps, crumbs, and spills left uncleaned serve as food sources for cockroaches.
- Leaky faucets and open water bowls serve as sources of water.
- Open trash, especially if there are food scraps.
Signs of a Cockroach Infestation
- An oily, musty scent
- Strange brownish smears
- Cockroach droppings that look like coffee grounds
- Cockroach exoskeletons and egg cases
- Chewing marks on various items
- Cockroach sighting
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches
- Cover windows, doors, drains, and other openings to prevent them from coming in
- Inspect bags, furniture, and other items where they may hide before taking them inside your home
- Set up stick traps under furniture, sinks, and other dark areas
- Set up poison bait traps to target the colony
- Use foggers to kill them even while they hide
- Spray insecticide to kill lone cockroaches
Rodents
Rats and mice are also commonplace in the Philippines. Rats not only nibble on your food, but also furniture, wires, and other items, leading to property damage.
However, the most dangerous thing about rats is that they carry diseases like salmonella, rat bite fever, and typhus.
Though mice are not as unappealing as rats, they leave droppings and urine all over your home, which can lead to a terrible smell if not cleaned immediately.
Both of these rodents reproduce quite quickly and take over your home, so it’s crucial to control the population as soon as you notice them.
What Attracts Rodents to a Property
Rats and mice are always looking for food. They typically go into properties where they can easily access food. So, the first “cause” of a rodent infestation is accessibility – any cracks or open pipes or windows where they can get in.
Availability comes next. If they find available food in your home, they will likely come back. In worst-case scenarios, if your home has lots of clutter and dirt, rodents may find your home a suitable place to build a nest.
Signs of a Rat or Mouse Infestation
- Rats give off a scent similar to ammonia
- Any squeaking, scratching, and rustling noises especially at night are signs of rodent activity
- Rat droppings which are small, shiny black pellets you’ll typically find under furniture where they frequent
- Signs of gnawing on wires, furniture legs, storage containers, paper products, and food
How to Get Rid of Rats at Home
- Prevent entry by fixing or covering any gaps, holes, and cracks around your home. But make sure to use materials they can’t easily gnaw on, such as cement or steel wool. Likewise, trim shrubs or tree branches that touch your home, especially windows because they can use these to climb in.
- Don’t make your home attractive. Cover garbage cans at all times, don’t leave any potential food lying around, and minimize any clutter (e.g., piles of wood, boxes, and old appliances) that they can hide in or set up a nest.
- Set up cage traps inside or around your house to catch rats and mice.
- Set up baits in an enclosed bait station to target them in groups.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are small flying insects that suck blood from their victims, injecting their saliva and leaving an itchy bump on the skin. These pesky insects are present all year round but become more prevalent in the Philippines during the rainy season.
Besides the annoying, itchy bites they leave on the skin, mosquitoes carry a lot of diseases, many of which can be fatal. Mosquito-borne diseases in the Philippines include dengue, malaria, Zika virus, Lyme disease, yellow fever, and Japanese encephalitis.
Because of these potential diseases, mosquitoes can deter people from engaging in outdoor activities or make them unpleasant. These pests also have a major economic impact on the country as the diseases they cause often result in reduced productivity, disrupted classes, and high healthcare costs.
What Causes a Mosquito Infestation
- They lay eggs in stagnant water resulting in more mosquitoes on the property
- Humidity and lack of ventilation make an area ideal for mosquitoes to thrive and lay eggs
- Clutter also serves as a hiding place for mosquitoes
Signs of Mosquitoes in Your House
- Presence of mosquito larvae in stagnant water
- Mosquito bites
- Mosquitoes flying about
How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in the House
- To prevent mosquitoes from entering your home, install screens on doors and windows
- Maintain good ventilation with air conditioning or fan
- Remove or cover any stagnant water in containers, flower pots, or basins
- Spray mosquito repellent around the house to deter them from entering
- Set up an electric zapper to keep the population under control
- Use mosquito spray
- Schedule regular insecticide sprays by professionals, especially near or during the rainy season
Ants
Ants are another common nuisance in Philippine households. These critters live in colonies where worker ants scour nearby locations for food, which is why you often find them around food, especially sweets.
Most ants, such as the black ant, do not bite or sting. Those that do bite, like weaver ants and fire ants, can leave large, itchy bumps on the skin. These bites can also trigger an allergic reaction.
Although ants are not as destructive or dangerous as other types of pests, they can still cause inconvenience as most Filipinos throw away food that’s been contaminated with ants.
What Attracts Ants
- Ants may enter a house in search of food; so, any sugary food left in the open may attract ants
- Dead insects may also attract ants
- Greasy surfaces
- Incoming rain or rainy seasons means an increase in ant activity
Signs of Ant Infestation
- Live ants, usually following a specific pheromone path
- Ant nest, usually similar to a mound
How to Get Rid of Ants Permanently
- Keep your home clean and sanitary, with food sealed tightly
- Don’t leave any type of food lying around
- Seal any cracks ants can use to enter your house
- Use ant baits. Worker ants will bring these to the colony and poison them.
- Spread diatomaceous earth powder on anthill and/or around entry points
- Spray insect killers around your property
Pest Control: The Key to Removing Pests Permanently
Many people tend to have a short-sighted approach to pest control believing that pests come and go with the natural cycle of life – and then only addressing only the problem when it becomes visible. However, it is possible to manage pests to make sure that they do not invade your home.
Pest control involves managing and eliminating pests, such as termites, cockroaches, rats, and ants that can cause significant damage and pose health hazards. Effective pest control methods include the use of pesticides, baits, and biological controls:
Pesticides
Pesticides are chemicals that kill or repel pests like ants, cockroaches, and termites. Pesticides contain toxic substances to specific pests, effectively killing them through direct contact or ingestion.
One of the main concerns with pesticides is their effect on people, pets, and potentially the environment. However, these potential risks can be mitigated with the assistance of professional pest control service providers.
Baits
Baits are another way to eliminate infestations of termites, rodents, and ants. Baits attract pests to consume poisoned food. For example, worker termites and ants may mistake baits for food, and bring these to their colony to be consumed by everyone including their queens. If done strategically, baits can take down an entire colony.
Biological Pest Control
Biological pest control utilizes natural enemies of pests, including parasites, predators, and pathogens, to control infestations. Biological pest control is an organic way of addressing pest infestations. They are quite effective at either killing populations or inhibiting their reproduction or development.
Sanitation
Sanitation is an effective preemptive way to keep various pests away from your property. Sanitation is not just about keeping your house tidy and clutter-free. Rather, it involves cleaning and disinfecting areas and surfaces to prevent dust, germs, and bacteria, as well as potential food sources for pests from building up. Unsanitary conditions not only attract various types of pests but also serve as ideal living and breeding ground for them.
Remove Pests Permanently with Topbest
Although there are plenty of DIY pest control solutions available, professional residential pest control services offer more effective, long-term results. Professionals are armed with expertise and tools to identify, treat, and prevent various pest infestations while ensuring residents’ and other animals’ safety. So, you have a higher chance of not only getting rid of household pests on your property but also keeping them away for good.
Contact Topbest today to protect your property from pest infestation.