The cockroach is one of the most notorious insects in Singapore due to its humid climate, population density, and food-rich surroundings. These insects multiply rapidly, carry bacteria like Salmonella or allergens, and damage business and home properties.
Controlling them is important to prevent food contamination, disease transmission, and allergic reactions. However, it is difficult to control cockroaches in Singapore due to friendly breeding spaces, shared drainage systems, and food availability in hawker centers, food courts, and unsealed trash bins.
Keep the area clean, seal entry points, and use professional pest control service to prevent infestation. Try chemical baits, insecticides, traps, or natural remedies like boric acid and essential oils to eradicate the pests. Take professional help to solve the problem completely.
Different Types of Cockroaches In Singapore
1. German Cockroach (Blattella germanica)
German Cockroach is the most common type found in Singapore. They are 13–16 mm (0.512–0.630 inches) in size with light brown color and prefer warm and humid areas in kitchens, dining rooms, and bathrooms. They eat everything – from food crumbs to soap and toothpaste. Females carry 30-50 eggs per case and those hatch in 40 days. Nymphs mature in 40–125 days and adults live for about 200 days.
2. Brown-Banded Cockroach (Supella longipalpa)
Light brown with two distinctive brown bands across the wings and abdomen, these small (10–14mm) prefer warmer, drier environments. You will find them in cupboards, behind wallpaper, electrical appliances, and ceilings. The nymphs take 160 days to mature, and eggs hatch in 70 days.
3. American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana)
These American Cockroaches are a bit larger (35–54mm and reddish-brown with a yellowish figure-eight pattern behind the head. They are capable of flying short distances and prefer warm and damp environments like sewers, basements, drains, and storage rooms. The females lay 9–10 egg cases which hatch in 40 days and their average lifespan is 440 days. They contaminate things fermenting food, milk, plant shoots, soap, and starches, and carry bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses.
4. Oriental Cockroach (Blatta orientalis)
These cockroaches range from dark brown to black. They are slow mover and stay in drains, sewers, basements, and under sinks. These bugs can grow 20–25mm with a greasy, shiny body and carry foodborne pathogens.
What Causes of Cockroach Infestations in Homes in Singapore
Food Sources
Improper food storage, such as leaving crumbs, uncovered leftovers, or unsealed pantry items, is common in Singapore. Besides, the warm and humid conditions make the food spoilage fast, attracting hungry cockroaches.
Water and Moisture
Cockroaches cannot survive without water. Leaky pipes, open drainage, standing water in sinks, or damp areas are common in Singapore. It creates ideal hydration spots for cockroaches.
Climate
The average temperature in Singapore is 27–32°C and the average humidity is above 80%. This condition is perfect for cockroaches and it supports their breeding and survival.
Clutter
Piles of newspapers, cardboard boxes, carton drinks or cluttered spaces are common in Singapore due to higher popular density. These clutters shelter cockroaches.
Poor Sanitation
Shared chutes in high-rise buildings in Singapore aren’t emptied regularly. It delays rubbish disposal and attracts cockroaches.
Proximity to Infested Areas
The cracks, shared HDB drainage, shared walls, restaurants or hawker centers allow cockroach migration from infested areas.
Inadequate Pest Control
Singapore emphasizes on cleanliness for sure. However, individual-level control is not that consistent, allowing cockroaches to infest.
Why Should You Be Concerned with Cockroach Infestation?
Cockroaches carry diseases with them. Bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli can lead to diseases like diarrhea, gastrointestinal, fever, and stomach cramps. Besides, their droppings and shed skin can trigger allergies, skin rashes, and asthma. Food contamination is common. They also chew on books, furniture, fabric, electrical wiring, and wallpaper. Their hiding ability and rapid growth make it tough to eradicate them. Their movement and noise disrupt sleep during the night as well.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cockroach Control at Home
Step 1: Identify Signs of Infestation
Understanding the signs of infestation is the first line of control. Here are the common signs.
- Small, dark, pepper-like specks or cylindrical pellet droppings in corners, cabinets, or along the edges of floors.
- An oily, musty odor will be noticeable in confined areas.
- Purse-shaped capsule-like 5-10 mm long brown egg cases (Oothecae) under appliance or behind furniture.
- Cockroach-shaped, translucent exoskeletons near hiding places.
- Dark, irregular streaks or stains on walls or surfaces.
- Live cockroaches at night scurrying across floors, countertops, or walls.
- Dead cockroaches in open areas or trapped in corners.
- Chew marks on food packaging, fabrics, or papers.
- Unusual faint rustling or skittering sounds during night or quiet moments.
Step 2: Eliminate Attractants
Food and water sources attract cockroaches. Remove those sources. Store foods in an airtight jar or box, clean crumbs, grease, and spills from floors, and use cloths and soap to remove edible traces. Fix leaks and wipe sinks to eliminate water sources. Clean the trash daily from bins and keep the trash bin sealed.
Step 3: Seal Entry Points
Blocking the cockroach entrance by sealing all the entry points and hiding spots. Seal cracks and gaps in walls, floors, and cabinets with chaul. Install mesh screens on drains and vents with adhesive. Reduce clutter like cardboard boxes and paper piles.
Step 4: Use Cockroach Baits & Traps
Install tools to attract, capture, and kill cockroaches in their active zones. Deploy gel baits with insecticides like Fipronil or Hydramethylno in kitchens, bathrooms, and storage rooms. Place them under the sink or along the walls. Cockroaches will eat them and return to their nests to spread the poison through their colonies. Use sticky traps in the same areas and monitor the trap. The combined method will work better.
Step 5: Sprays & Residual Treatments
Baits and traps will not work, especially to eradicate them. Use residual insecticides such as pyrethroids or neonicotinoids to crevices, wall voids, and baseboards to kill them. Aerosol sprays work immediately. However, do not overuse them since cockroaches can develop resistance.
Step 6. Heat & Steam Treatment
Some people do not like the chemical approach to kill cockroaches. You can try heat treatment to kill them and their eggs. 130°F+ or 54°C high-temperature steam can easily kill cockroaches. Apply it where cockroaches hide and breed. You can also target special areas or thorough applications to kill every survivor.
Step 7. Take professional help
Take professional help for heavy infestations. Contact licensed trained professionals to provide thorough treatment with specialized tools and chemicals. Try fumigation or heat treatment to kill cockroaches and eggs instantly. This approach is suitable for infestation beyond your control.
DIY Cockroach Control Methods
You can also try DIY methods. However, remember that these methods are not permanent solutions.
Boric Acid
Sprinkle boric acids near infested areas to dehydrate and poison cockroaches. You can also try Diatomaceous Earth. It damages their exoskeletons and dehydrates them, leading to death. Remember that both options work best in dry conditions. So apply heavily if the condition is humid and wet.
Baking Soda and Sugar
A baking soda and sugar mixture can serve as a simple, homemade cockroach killer. Mix some soda and sugar and sprinkle it in the heavily infested area. The sugar will lure the cockroaches and soda will react with their stomach acids, causing them to die. However, this method is not highly effective.
Essential Oils
Essential oils like peppermint, neem, or tea tree oil can repel cockroaches. They have strong scents and natural insect-repellent properties. Combine a few drops of any of these oils with water and spray in cockroach-prone areas. It will not eliminate the cockroaches, but it keeps them away.
DIY Traps
Try simple homemade traps with sugar and soap water to capture and kill cockroaches. Fill a shallow bowl or container with water. Add some sugar to attract cockroaches. Mix a few drops of dish soap to break the water’s surface tension. Position these DIY traps near cockroach hotspots. Check and refresh the trap for the best result.
Where to Buy Cockroach Control Products
You will find cockroach control products such as sprays and insecticides in supermarkets like NTUC FairPrice, Sheng Siong, and hardware stores.
Targeted Cockroach control at home
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in the Kitchen Permanently
Start with removing the attractants. Integrate baits and traps to catch and kill cockroaches. Use insecticides or get professional help for heavy infestation. Maintain strict hygiene practices. Regularly monitor the infestation and re-apply control method for sustainable results.
How to Chase Cockroaches from a Room
The process is simple. Repel them and block their return. Use essential oils like peppermint, neem, or tea tree oil to repel them. Seal the exit points caulking cracks in walls, filling gaps around doors, and adding mesh screens to vents or drains. You can easily chase them.
How to Get Rid of Roaches Overnight
Rely on traps, baits, and insecticides for a quick overnight fix. Set traps and baits along baseboards, near trash cans, or under furniture. Apply poison-based traps to kill them instantly. Spray insecticides to kill them in contact.
How to Kill Cockroaches
You can use insecticide sprays with pyrethroids or neonicotinoids, aerosol, or other insecticides to kill them instantly. Crush them with a bat, show, or heavy objects for a hands-on approach.
Prevention Strategies to control cockroach
Prevention is always better than cure. Let’s see the prevention approaches.
- Start with maintaining cleanliness and proper sanitation. Remove any attractants. Store food in airtight containers. Empty garbage bins daily.
- Eliminate water and moisture sources such as leaky pipes, faucets, and clogged drains.
- Seal entry points like cracks, crevices, and gaps in walls, doors, and windows. Install mesh screens on drains and vents. Declutter storage spaces.
- Use natural and chemical repellents like boric acid, diatomaceous earth, or baking soda to keep them away.
- Inspect the infestation early and get professional help for the best result.
Common Challenges Control Cockroach
- Cockroaches breed quickly, making infestation hard to eliminate.
- They are active at night, going unnoticed until the infestation is severe.
- Detecting them in cracks, drains, and appliances is difficult.
- Some cockroaches have already developed immunity to common chemical treatments over time.
- Their egg cases are resistant to many insecticides, making them even harder to eradicate.
- Home remedies are not that effective for complete elimination.
Need Professional Help?
If you think still you need professional help to control cockroaches at your Singapore home, here we are. Termite Specialist PTE LTD is an NEA-certified and licensed trained professional providing notch Cockroach pest control in Singapore. You can call/Whatsapp us at +65 6910 3776 or visit our office at 50 Bukit Batok Cres, Midview Building, floor 3 Singapore to know more. Get direction.
FAQ
Are cockroaches in Singapore more active during certain months?
- Yes, they are more active during wetter monsoon seasons (Nov-Jan) when moisture is high.
Can cockroaches climb HDB walls to reach higher floors?
- Yes, species like American and German cockroaches can easily climb HBD walls to reach higher floors. They climb through walls or travel via pipes and shared drainage systems.
Why do cockroaches keep coming back after pest control?
- Reinfestation often happens due to an uncleaned environment, unsealed entry points, neighbouring units in HDBs, and surviving egg cases.
How do I dispose of dead cockroaches safely in Singapore?
- Put them in a sealed plastic bag and then discard them in a bin with a tight lid to prevent spreading bacteria or attracting more pests.
Are cockroach droppings harmful to pets in Singapore homes?
- Yes, droppings carry allergens and harmful bacteria that can sicken pets and kids.
How do I handle cockroaches in my car parked at an HDB lot?
- Remove any food wrappers, vacuum the interior, use car-safe sticky traps, and park away from rubbish chutes or drains.
