Pest Attacks Condos & Apartments in Malaysia

One of our clients who lives in a condominium on the 23^rd floor asked us – “How come pests still enter my unit even though I live in a condominium and maintaining good hygiene and cleanliness?”

Many people thought that living in condominium automatically means they are free from pest issues. “Pests won’t be able to reach my house since I live so high up. Furthermore, my condominium is well managed and clean.”

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the cleanest condo can still face pest infestations. Here’s the truth: The building’s structure, surrounding environment and shared space are the main reason – it is less about cleanliness.

Let us show you how.

🏢 1. Shared structure
The structures in condominium are highly connected. Units share:

• Walls
• Ceilings
• Plumbing systems
• Electrical risers
• Drainage shafts

If you see pests in your house, they most likely enter your unit through these hidden conduits.
So even if you are vacuuming, mopping, and keeping your unit sparkling clean, pests can still enter from:

1. Your neighbour’s unit
2. Piping

Thus, even if you are doing your best at blocking their entry, pests are also doing their best to find their way into your unit.

🚮 2. Pests hotspots – common area
Not all pest issues originate inside your home. Many come from outside your unit, including:

• Refuse rooms
• Car park area
• Stairways and corridors
• Restaurants or shops on the ground floor of commercial-residential condominiums

Pest infestation that sits in these common spaces can easily spread upwards through the building structure.

🌧️ 3. Pests love Malaysia’s Climate
Our tropical climate – warm, humid, and rainy all year round provides the perfect condition for pests to thrive and reproduce.
Common pests include:

• Cockroaches
• Ants
• Termites
• Mosquitoes
• Flies

Our climate provides the best condition for pests to stay active all year round.

♻️ 4. Refuse Room Party
Condominiums with refuse room – the room where garbage are collected often faces problems like:

• Cockroach breeding inside the refuse bins
• Rodent’s nests
• Food waste residues and odour attracting flies

These rooms allow pests to breed and travel floor by floor easily, reaching every level.

💧 5. Water Leaking Inside the Building
You may keep your unit clean, but hidden moisture issues can still attract pests. Common sources include:

• Leaking pipes inside walls
• AC condensation
• Damp bathrooms
• Dripping aircon units above your ceiling
• Water seepage from neighbouring units

Moisture is one of the culprit that attracts pests easily, especially for ants, cockroaches, and termites.

✈️ 6. Pests Can Still Travel to High Floors
The concept around high floor means lower chances of pest infestation is not true.
Pests can still enter high floors through:

• Risers
• Utility Lines
• Shared ventilation system

Even if you do not know who is your neighbour, pest control is a shared responsibility in a condominium. Pest infestations can occur if:

• Hygiene and cleanliness is not maintained at common areas
• Water leaking and building structure issues are not fixed
• Refuse rooms aren’t regularly treated
• Water stagnant at landscapes are left untreated

A single poorly maintained floor can affect the whole building.

Conclusion: Cleanliness and Hygiene Are Not the Only Factor  
You can keep pests away by:

• Ensuring all water leakages or moisture problems are fixed
• Sealing gaps between doors or window at any entry points
• Regular pest control by Licensed and Registered pest control service provider like Sincerae Services

With a coordinated effort, pests can be greatly reduced — even in a high-rise.