Problems

• Termites can cause short circuiting of electrical devices as they attack wiring.
• Damages and erodes wooden structures, which may cause collapse of furniture or other wooden fixtures and fittings.
• Termites reproduce quickly; therefore once they have established a nest, they can be very difficult to eradicate.

Common Sources

• Wooden products, door frames, window frames, kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, wooden floor, wooden skirting at floor level.
• Concrete buildings, suspended ceilings, cellar, cracks in walls as well as internal areas of drain pipes are all suitable places for termites’ nesting and breeding.
• Any void areas, cracks and joints between bricks and masonry.
• Any cellulose-based material.

Problems

• Cockroaches are carriers of many types of bacteria and pathogen such as Shigella, Salmonella, Staphylococcus Aureus, Escherichia Coli, Hepatitis virus and so on. When cockroaches crawl on food or tableware, these pathogens can be transmitted to humans. Additionally, cockroaches can result in other afflictions including asthma and various allergies.
• Cockroaches reproduce rapidly; therefore once they established a presence, it can be difficult to completely eradicate nests.

Common Sources

• Cockroaches are mainly active at night. Typically, during the day they will hide, while at night they are most active, foraging for food.
• They prefer warm, moist habitats for harbourage as well as places where there are abundant sources of food.

Problems

• Fleas not only spread deadly diseases such as plague and endemic typhus, but can also serve as a host for many kinds of tapeworm. When fleas’ bites their victim, they release a liquid that causes skin redness and itchiness at the same time. The affected part of the skin will also turn dark in colour.
• Household pets such as cats and dogs are common hosts for fleas. Fleas can also migrate for household pets to other hosts including humans. In humans, fleas can cause problems to humans such as seasonal eczema.
• Fleas are so tiny that they are difficult to observe by the human eye. They also reproduce rapidly. Due to their tiny size, fleas are often not noticed until there is a large population. Like other pests, once they are established, fleas are difficult to eradicate completely.

Common Sources

• Adult fleas usually live on mammals and in some instances on birds
• Fleas can often be found on wooden furniture, beds, etc.
• They often migrate from rural areas or other open spaces.

Problems

• Bees are a beneficial insect and valuable for biodiversity. However, they will attack by stinging if they perceive to be threatened. Thus, bees’ nesting on trees or other objects close to human habitats or activity should be prevented in order to minimise the likelihood of bees coming into contact with humans. Once bees are nested, it is dangerous to eliminate their harbourages without protective equipment. A number of people have allergies to the protein in the venom of bees’ stings. In severe cases, these allergies can lead to serious medical complications or even death.
• Beehives can also be a hazard to people in the event they fall from their harbourage because they are overweight.

Common Source

• In flora, bees are found where flowers and other foliage thrive.
• Beehives could also be found on the supporting beams of buildings.

Problems

• Ants are a beneficial insect because their survival instincts and industrious nature can be beneficial for agriculture. For example, ants aid with the elimination of dead animals and also loosen soil allowing for easier cultivation. However, there are some species of ants that damage crops and protect harmful insects, or even attack humans. Some harmful ants secrete venom when they bite, which can cause various types of different allergic in humans. An example is the imported Red Fire Ant.

Common Sources

• Any place with food or dead animals.
• Sweet smelling odours, flavoured foods or drinks.

Problems

• Adaptable and resilient.
• Rats eat almost anything ranging from human food to wooden furniture, and even plastics.
• Rats have the most rapid and successful reproduction rate among mammals.
• All rats are characterized by a pair of incisors. They have to gnaw at objects so that the incisors do not extend and pierce the skull.
• They carry parasites and diseases that can harm other animals and humans.
• Rats are fast and agile.

Common Sources

• Rats are often found in drains, toilets, kitchens, pantries, refuse rooms, etc.
• Any dark and dirty places.

Flies

• Flies are associated with a number of different kinds of pathogens, including cholera, typhoid, dysentery, hepatitis, etc.
• When flies feed on waste matter, they collect pathogens on their legs and mouths. They spread diseases by moving quickly from waste matter to human food.

Dust mites

• Normal size of dust mites ranging from 170 – 500 (length) x 250 – 322 (width) microns, which is barely visible to the human eye.
• Common dust mite harbourages include mattresses and pillows.
• Dust mites are a major inducer of allergic reactions such as wheezing, sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, allergic conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis symptoms, etc.

Ticks

• Ticks feed on blood.
• Bites by ticks will cause itching, burning and redness.
• The majority of tick bites develop no symptoms. However, a few individuals may be sensitive or allergic to tick bites, which may cause partial vessel congestion, edema, acute inflammation syndrome, etc.