For homeowners in Thailand, pests are a continuing challenge. Whether you live in a i house in Chiang Mai or a Bangkok condo, be prepared for visits from uninvited guests — the most common include ants, cockroaches, termites, rodents and (hopefully, small) reptiles.
Ants inside the home are a persistent problem, especially during the rainy season. The most prevalent are the tiny brownish red ants that steadily stream to and from food sources. You can wipe out an entire group only to find that they reappear in minutes. These ants don’t appear to bite, but if you don’t control the issue, they will soon appear in droves.
Cockroaches are a nuisance that will not go away easily – these hardy insects have been present on earth for over 400 million years. Thousands of species of cockroaches exist but luckily, there are only a handful of varieties in Thailand. These range in size from tiny skittish insects to large flying bugs; most are commonly seen in damp spaces such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Unlike ants and roaches, termites have the potential to wreck havoc in one’s space, causing structural damage to buildings and the demise of old growth trees. They can also pervade untreated indoor wood sources, including doors, trimming, flooring and furniture – even in high-rise condos.
As for rodents, there are several types that you don’t want to see around your living space, as they have the potential to spread disease. The most common varieties are the black rat, the brown rat and the house mouse. All are adept at climbing and getting into seemingly closed spaces that contain food. Rats are particularly stealthy, and can live and move extensively through the building’s sewage system.
At some point, small reptiles will make an appearance in your Thai home. You may already have a few small lizards or a gecko in residence; both are generally harmless but their appearance may be frightful. On occasion, you may see snakes and monitor lizards in your yard, especially if you live near a source of water. While generally harmless from a distance, you may want to think about evicting them before they multiply.
Getting rid of household pests usually exacts a toll in time, cost and frustration. It often means turning to the professionals. In some cases, however, you can mitigate the situation by taking a preventive approach, reducing the conditions that attract certain pests. For example, keep your drains unclogged; caulk or fill in cracks and crevices, such as pipe openings and spaces between built-in furniture; vacuum and clean frequently; store food in sealed containers; and keep surfaces, counters sand garbage disposal areas clean. For pet owners, placing food dishes in a shallow pan filled with soapy water can help repel ants and roaches. Outside, trim tree branches so they don’t hang over the house and drain standing water that can be a breeding ground of mosquitoes, yet another common pest.
