Keeping pests under control

Midges, cockroaches, rodents, pigeons and crows can be eradicated if they are deprived of food sources
Rachael Boon Straits Times 6 Feb 11;

Tiny green and black flies, known as chironomid midges, are no longer engulfing the open areas and homes of residents in Bedok Reservoir Road, thanks to the combined efforts of Aljunied Town Council, National Parks Board, Public Utilities Board (PUB) and National Environment Agency (NEA).

In separate tests run by PUB and NEA, the population of midge eggs and larvae there has fallen by 95 per cent.

That was the latest infestation to hit Singapore. Through the years, other pests such as cockroaches, rodents, mosquitoes and pigeons have caused Singaporeans much headache.

Account executive K.L. Tan was plagued by pigeons for more than 10 years at her private apartment in Tanglin, until anti- roosting spikes were installed on her window ledge last year.

The 24-year-old says: 'The pigeons liked to rest there and they pooped a lot. I used to have an old window aircon unit and they stuffed twigs into whatever space they could find. It was their nesting area.'

More annoying, and worrying, were their droppings as it was unhygienic.

The pigeons were a nuisance so Ms Tan and her neighbours informed the estate management. It took a while for the spikes to be installed as the management had to find suitable timings for apartment owners to be home for the installation.

The management previously tried to arrange for the shooting of the pigeons but as the apartments were close to the Botanic Gardens, the shooting was called off.

The reasons for different kinds of pest infestations vary but one common cause is the availability of food and nesting opportunities.

A spokesman for the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) says it is impossible to rid an area completely of pigeons, as they are free-roaming birds and can travel to occupy any free area.

Also, birds and all animals are likely to congregate where food and shelter are abundant and easily accessible.

The AVA says: 'Members of the public facing bird nuisance may apply control measures such as using repellents, eliminating food sources and roosting or nesting opportunities that attract birds to congregate, or engage pest control services to mitigate the nuisance.'

In any case, public feeding of pigeons is prohibited. Anyone caught feeding stray pigeons in public places can be fined up to $500.

Another pesky creature is the Norway rat. This species makes up 90 per cent of the rodents in Singapore, according to a survey done by NEA.

The environment agency found that some of the root causes of infestations include poor refuse management of premises and bin centres, as refuse provides rats with food; improper storage of food; and poor housekeeping practices in shops, markets and food centres.

What happens when the rats are already a problem? An NEA spokesman says: 'Our officers would look for signs of rat activity or harbourage in affected areas. This

includes rat burrows, runways or paths the rats take, droppings and gnaw marks.

'Detected burrows will be treated with rodenticide and sealed after no further activity is detected. Our officers will also try to establish the root cause of the rat activities so that it can be addressed.'

Mr Thomas Fernandez, chairman and chief executive officer of pest control company PestBusters, says it can take up to six weeks to make a place as large as a shopping centre free of rats.

He says: 'You have to put in control measures and understand the biology of rats. For example, they eat 10 per cent of their body weight and are usually territorial as they want to keep the family together. You cannot just put one rat trap out for a family of 10, you must know how many families there are within a 30m radius.

'After measures are taken and the area appears rat-free, we still have to monitor the area by putting out food to lure any hidden rats. The situation has to be monitored continually.'

Pestbuster Rentokil Initial Singapore, which was recently involved in the spraying of insecticide on the walls of HDB blocks in Bedok Reservoir Road to eliminate the midges, says the public should be aware that pests do return after a while as they are masters in survival. Some species of cockroaches are believed to be millions of years old, after all.

Rentokil technical manager Lim Min Hui says: 'Regular detection and vigilant monitoring is necessary to ensure pest infestation is under control.

'Pest infestation may cause damages and risks if left untreated, such as insecure infrastructure, damaged properties, spreading of diseases, bites and allergies, and potential electrical short circuits which may lead to a fire.'