Know what you’re dealing with.
A visual guide to the pests and bugs found in Malaysian homes and premises. Identify what you’ve seen, understand the risk, and know what to do about it.
The six pests most Malaysian homes encounter.
Start here if you’re not sure what you’re dealing with. These six pests account for the majority of household infestations across Malaysia — from ceiling scurrying to kitchen invaders to termite damage in the walls.
Mengenai Semut
From harmless black garden ants to fire ants that sting — Malaysia is home to over a dozen ant species that end up in kitchens and bathrooms.
Read guide →Mengenai Lipas
Scatter when the light comes on. Nocturnal, disease-carrying, and remarkably hard to kill. The most common household pest across urban Malaysia.
Read guide →Mengenai Tikus
Scurrying sounds in the ceiling at night? Rats and rodents damage property, contaminate food, and carry serious diseases including leptospirosis.
Read guide →Mengenai Anai-anai (Anai-Anai)
Malaysia’s most expensive pest — causing over RM 20 million in property damage yearly. Mud tunnels on walls or hollow-sounding wood are the warning signs.
Read guide →Mengenai Pepijat katil
Waking up with itchy red bites in a line? Bed bugs feed at night and hide in mattresses, sofas, and skirting boards. Notoriously hard to eliminate without professional help.
Read guide →Mengenai nyamuk
Beyond the buzzing and itching — Aedes mosquitoes transmit dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. A leading Malaysian public health concern.
Read guide →Different ants, different problems.
Not all ants are the same. Some are harmless, some sting, and one popular “ant” isn’t even an ant. Here are the ant species and lookalikes you’ll encounter in Malaysia.
Charlie Semut
Rove beetles carrying pederin toxin. Never crush them — the toxin causes severe skin burns.
Read guide →Fire Semut
Aggressive stinging ants that swarm when disturbed. Sting causes burning pain and pustules.
Read guide →Yellow Crazy Semut
Fast, erratic movement — hence the name. Highly invasive; one of the world’s most disruptive ant species.
Read guide →Weaver Semut
Large red-orange ants that build leaf-nests in trees. Aggressive when their nest is disturbed.
Read guide →Honeypot Semut
Specialised workers store sugary liquid in swollen abdomens. Attracted to sugary foods and syrups.
Read guide →Semut Terbang vs Termites
Both swarm during rainy season. One damages your home, the other doesn’t. Know the difference.
Bandingkan →Understanding the silent destroyer.
Termites cause more property damage in Malaysia than any other pest. Two guides to help you understand what you’re dealing with and how termite colonies work.
Mengenai Anai-anai (Anai-Anai)
The subterranean termites (Coptotermes) that damage Malaysian homes, and how to spot the warning signs before major damage occurs.
Read guide →Termite Life Cycle
King, queen, workers, soldiers, alates — how a termite colony is structured, why they swarm, and why killing workers alone doesn’t stop them.
Read guide →Everything else with six legs.
Fleas, silverfish, bees, wasps, and the beetles that turn up in your rice or your bookshelf. Guides for less common but still troublesome insects.
Mengenai Kutu
Jump onto pets, then into your home. Bite marks around ankles are the giveaway.
Read guide →Mengenai Silverfish
Wingless silver insects that eat paper, glue, and starches. Bathrooms and old boxes are favorites.
Read guide →Bees, Hornets & Wasps
Painful stings, potentially life-threatening for those with allergies. Nest removal needs professional help.
Read guide →Stored Product Insects
Beetles and moths that appear in flour, rice, cereal, and dried goods. Major issue in food warehouses.
Read guide →Mengenai labah-labah
Most Malaysian spiders are harmless — but a few local species can bite. Guide to identification.
Read guide →Mengenai Wood Borers
Beetles whose larvae tunnel through wood — furniture, beams, flooring. Small holes are the sign.
Read guide →Mengenai Dragon Flies
Not a pest — they eat mosquitoes. A helpful garden ally, especially near water features.
Read guide →Mengenai Centipedes
Large Malaysian centipedes deliver painful venomous bites. Hide in damp corners, garages, and gardens.
Read guide →Not bugs — but still unwelcome guests.
Some household invaders aren’t insects at all. Guides for the reptiles and lizards that also make their way into Malaysian homes.
Mengenai Home Lizards
House geckos (cicak) are actually helpful — they eat mosquitoes and small insects. But droppings and clicking sounds bother many households.
Read guide →Mengenai Snakes
Malaysia has both harmless and highly venomous snake species. Never handle — call a professional for safe removal.
Read guide →Send us a photo — we’ll identify it for you.
If you spotted something in your home and can’t find it in the guides above, WhatsApp us a photo. Our Field Biologist will identify it and let you know if it needs professional treatment.
Identified the pest — and want it gone?
Malaysian Pest Control has been protecting homes and premises since 1967. ISO 9001 certified, CIDB G3 registered, MPMA member. Whatever pest you’re dealing with, our team can help — with treatment matched to the specific species and your premise.
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