Pest species are usually those that are found in close association with Man and his activities, and in so doing, cause a threat of Public Health or Economic importance.


Ants are among the most prevalent pests in households. They are also found in restaurants, hospitals, offices, warehouses, and other buildings where they can find food and water. On outdoor (and sometimes indoor) plants, ants protect and care for honeydew-producing insects such as aphids, soft scales, whiteflies, and mealybugs, increasing damage from these pests. Ants also perform many useful functions in the environment, such as feeding on other pests (e.g., fleas, caterpillars, termites), dead insects, and decomposing tissue from dead animals.
There are over 12,000 species of ants throughout the world. The most common ant occurring in and around the house and garden in Malaysia is the pharaoh ant (Monomorium pharaonis), the odorous house ant (Tapinoma sessile), the thief ant (Solenopsis molesta), and the southern fire ant (Solenopsis xyloni). The velvety tree ant, Liometopum occidentale, nests in old wood and is a common outdoor species in landscapes.


Rodents are small mammals. Most of them weigh less than 100g (3.5 Oz). Mos trodents are squat, compact mammals with short limbs and a tail. They can be distinguished from other mammals by:
(1) a pair of chisel-likefront teeth, called incisors,
(2) lack of canine teeth,
(3) a few molarson each side of the jaw, and
(4) a toothless gap between the incisorsand cheek teeth.

The incisors continue to grow during the life time,but are worn down by gnawing (the name rodent comes from the Latin wordrodere, which means “to gnaw”). Rodents are quite intelligentand can master simple tasks when conditioned. They have an acutesense of hearing, smell, taste and touch. Rodents are highly socialanimals and use many of their senses to communicate. Their behavioris highly adaptable. Rodents have high rate of reproduction. Most species commonly have 6-12 young in each litter and a female can haveone litter each month (gestation period for rats is 21 to 23 days). Breeding occurs mostly in spring and fall. In most speciesfemale can reach maturity at two to five months of age (about three monthsin rats). Because of their high reproductive rates and ability toinvade many habitats, rodents are able to spread and multiply quickly. Population, however, may soon crash because of predation, disease and foodshortages.


Cockroaches, are the most common insect pests infesting homes, food service establishments and other structures in Malaysis. Cockroaches are replusive and objectionable to most people simply by their presence. They are also capable of mechanically transmitting disease organisms such as the bacteria which cause food poisoning. Recently, cockroaches have been found to be an important source of allergy in people, second only to house dust.Cockroaches typically become established in homes after being introduced in grocery bags, with laundry or, in some cases, wandering in from outdoors. Once cockroaches become established they are prolific breeders capable of producing several thousand offspring in a year.

Cockroaches prefer to live where there is food, warmth and moisture. Since cockroaches flourish where food and moisture are readily available, sanitation is an important step in prevention and control. Empty soft drink bottles, cardboard boxes and paper bags should not be allowed to accumulate. Food containers should be sealed and any crumbs or spillage cleaned up.

Unlike many household pests, cockroaches are prevalent year-round, causing homeowners and businesses to eventually seek some form of control.


Subterannean termites, the most common kind, live in the soil, from just below the surface to as much as 12 feet down. Up to two million termites inhabit a colony. These colonies consist of a network of tunnels and chambers built around a King and Queen whose sole job is to reproduce. In fact, in some of the 55 termite species, queens can lay up to 86,000 eggs a day! Often the queen's swollen body can weigh more than a pencil. The rest of the colony is made up of termites who all play specific roles in keeping the colony healthy. Among these termites are the workers. Worker termites keep busy 24 hours a day digesting wood fibers and other forms of cellulose which they eat, digest and share with the other members of the colony. Workers also clean the royal pair, the King and Queen, and carry away the eggs.