Pest Facts & Information

Termites cause more structural damage annually than natural disasters in Sri Lanka. A single colony can contain over a million individuals.

Signs to look for:

• Mud tubes along walls or foundations
• Hollow-sounding wood when tapped
• Discarded wings near windows or doors
• Blistered or damaged paint on wood surfaces

Sri Lanka has endemic dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. The Aedes aegypti mosquito breeds in as little as a bottle cap of stagnant water.

Breeding sites:

• Flowerpots and saucers with standing water
• Water tanks without proper covers
• Blocked drains and gutters
• Discarded tyres and containers

Rats and mice contaminate food, chew through electrical wiring, and spread diseases including leptospirosis.

Warning signs:

• Droppings along walls and in cupboards
• Gnaw marks on food packaging or wood
• Greasy rub marks along walls and pipes
• Scratching sounds at night

Cockroaches carry over 33 types of bacteria including E. coli and Salmonella. Their shed skins and droppings are a major cause of asthma.

Where they hide:

• Behind kitchen appliances
• Inside drains and plumbing
• Under sinks and in cupboards
• Inside electrical boxes and walls

A single housefly can carry over 100 pathogens including typhoid, cholera, and dysentery. They breed rapidly in decaying organic matter.

Prevention tips:

• Keep bins sealed and waste collected regularly
• Install fly screens on windows and doors
• Clean drains and remove decaying matter
• UV fly traps for kitchens and food areas

Silverfish thrive in humid areas and feed on starch, paper, fabric, and glue — causing damage to books, clothing, and wallpaper.

Where they are found:

• Bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry areas
• Bookshelves, libraries, and paper storage
• Inside wardrobes and linen cupboards
• Behind wall cladding in older buildings

Grain beetles, weevils, and flour moths infest stored food products. A single infestation can contaminate large quantities of food rapidly.

Common stored product pests:

• Rice and grain weevils (cereals, pulses)
• Flour beetles (flour, biscuits, spices)
• Tobacco beetles (dried goods, tobacco)
• Warehouse moths (grains, nuts, dried fruit)