The Philippines is a tropical country, mga bes. It sounds romantic on paper, but for those of us who live here, we know better than that. We love our gorgeous beaches and pristine nature reserves, but it comes with an all-year-round na tag-init and tag-ulan season. It also means, unfortunately, that we are pestered by pesky insects all year round — not just in those beautiful tropical vacation places but also in our homes. Hay nako!

But our Kapitbahays at Home Buddies are always ready to eliminate those unwanted pests. We’re armed with weapons: knowledge, chemicals, and connections to pest control services. But before you reach that point, getting a headstart in kicking those unwanted dwellers out of your home is better. 

Insect Pests and How to Bid Them Bye-Bye

Yes, we know bugs, rats, and other “pests” are essential in our environment. Yes, we’re also aware  they keep the balance in our ecosystem. We appreciate their work for the world! But ibang usapan na when they chip away at our furniture, contaminate food, and infect us with their bites. These are just some of the negative effects of having pests at home, but we could list a lot more!  

When they become safety hazards, it’s time to ensure that you and the members of our household are all safe. Remember, mahal magpagawa ng bahay, at lalong mahal magpagamot.

There are different kinds of pests all over the country (sometimes depending on your area or province), but generally, we deal with the same types of insects. Here are some of the most common ones you might encounter at home — and how to keep them away.

Flies

From the dining room and kitchen (i.e., fruit flies) to the bathroom (i.e., drain flies), flies hang out just about everywhere. Not to mention, a fly infestation likely means that there’s a good gunk of filth around the house. Yikes.

While these guys contaminate food and spread bacteria, you don’t need to get alarmed when you see them fluttering around. After all, there are many surefire ways to eliminate them. Kapitbahay Milche Pe recommends an electric insect catcher. You just need to put in food as bait, wait a few hours, and voila — bye-bye, langaw!

Tito or tita alert: Incense sticks are another great way to keep them away, says Kapitbahay Franz Padilla. They’re natural repellers for flies and even other pests. Herbal scents like citronella, patchouli, and eucalyptus are sure #winners. Not only will your home be fly-free — it’ll also smell so good!

Cockroaches

Our favorite sight of all time — said no one ever. Most of us probably don’t like insects, but there is something about cockroaches that hit differently, and definitely not in a good way. When they let their wings out and start flying, the best action is to pack your bags and never return. (Joke lang. But really, flying cockroaches are the stuff of nightmares.)

Frustratingly, cockroaches are everywhere, even when you try to keep every corner of your house squeaky clean. You’ll find hordes in your bathroom or kitchen, especially since they thrive in dark and moist areas, so you see them around more during tag-ulan season.

‍Aside from Baygon, you can DIY concoctions at home for a more #tipid option. Kapitbahay Kenneth Ornada says a mixture of dishwashing liquid and water deters cockroaches. Don’t put it in a spray, though — storing the mix in a bottle and then pouring it on an unsuspecting ipis is more effective. “Within 10 seconds, tataob sila. Thank me later,” Kapitbahay Kenneth assures.

Many of our Kapitbahays also attest to cockroach gels or bait powders, which are easy to use and clean. Just keep them out of reach of pets. Meanwhile, light zappers are 50-50 in the community, but they’re available in most hardware stores so you can ask an expert for tips and more anti-ipis budols.

Mosquitoes

If it isn’t the bane of our existence! We just said roaches are the worst, but scratch that. Mosquitoes are also a strong contender. The fact pa lang that their itchy bites are so annoying to deal with is already horrible. But to add to that, mosquitoes are also huge health hazards. 

Mosquitoes (or lamok) are major red flags that bring diseases like dengue, malaria, and more. If you’re not diligent in closing your windows in the evening, they’ll get inside the house and bite just about anyone they land on.

The only upside to mosquitoes being a pain in the butt? Everyone knows they’re a common household issue, so tons of products in the market are bound to eliminate them. From killer lamps to katols to liquid repellents, there’s a sure solution. 

Kapitbahay Jessica Frias Manjares recommends this unscented pesticide (and you can get it on Shopee for less than a hundred pesos — what a steal!). You can also try liquid electric repellers — tried and tested by Mayora. 

And, as always, prevention is better than cure, so install screens or glass panels in areas where you can. You can get inspo from the Home Buddies community on Facebook, like this classy front-door option from Kapitbahay Doc Mariz or this beautiful enclosure by Kapitbahay AC Vistan-Arce.

Termites

If you’re #TeamKahoy, you know that there’s a lot of special care that comes with it, like taking preventive measures against termites. (For example, reducing moisture in wood fixtures that touch the ground is always a good idea, though that’s not always plausible.) 

Unfortunately, unlike other pests, anay are more of a headache. You should take active measures to eliminate them when you notice them. Termite killer sprays are available online, but you’ll have to call pest control services if this isn't enough. Our Kapitbahays know a lot of trusted ones — don’t hesitate to ask for their help!

Keep Your Home Pest-Free with the Home Buddies Community

A happy home is a safe and secure home, which is why we should ensure that it has no unwanted health hazards, including insects (and rats, but we can go over that another time).

Pesky pests are inevitable, no matter how meticulously you clean and maintain your home. But don’t fret — every homeowner goes through it, our Kapitbahays included. Know that you’re not alone! You can always reach out to us on Facebook community for tips, best practices, and a helping hand.