Overview
Government initiatives drive local food production; management of pest control remains vital
Singapore is well known for its cuisine and hawker-style food, a reputation earned over the years. While 90% of Singapore’s food supplies are imported, the country as a whole is adopting initiatives and methodologies to support the local production of food.
Singapore has 3 primary agricultural farm types - land-based, indoor and rooftop. The ‘30 by 30’ initiative, launched in 2019, paves the way to bolster the capability and expertise of the local agri-food industry, with the aim of producing 30% of Singapore’s nutritional needs continuously and locally by the year 2030. With the maintenance of crops and agriculture comes the adoption of pest control. Guidelines and initiatives have been set up by government agencies and regulators to maintain not only the country’s local food production but also public health as a whole.
Public health threats in Singapore comprise mosquitoes, flies, rodents, cockroaches and rat fleas; every pesticide product and repellent needed to maintain these threats is required to be registered by the National Environment Agency (NEA). These pesticide products and repellents include general and restricted usage products with active ingredients that should not lead to unwanted environmental hazards and must not only be labelled, but must also contain the correct number of active ingredients mentioned. All public health pesticide suppliers and producers are required to be registered under the Business Registration Act/Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).
Infestations brought under control through implementation of pest control measures and management systems set up by government agencies and organisations
In 1982, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Singapore was a malaria-free zone, a reputation that is being maintained to date; hence, other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes such as Japanese encephalitis, Chikungunya, Rift Valley fever and West Nile fever are not endemic. However, a consistent effort to control the breeding of mosquitoes must be maintained to prevent the breakout of malaria.
Common areas where mosquito breeding can be found are town council estates, condominium estates and apartments, worker dormitories, construction sites, factories and shipyards, among other areas. Rainwater collection systems also pose a threat as a mosquito breeding source. A rainwater collection system comprises a catchment area, rainwater conveyance such as roof gutters and a storage tank for which specific methods must be followed to avoid this threat.
Rat control is also a concern in Singapore, as rat urine, droppings and fleas on their bodies can transmit diseases. Similarly, these wild threats not only contaminate food but also damage the infrastructure of homes and buildings. Poorly-managed refuse chutes and bin centres, exposed or overflowing bulk bins, abandoned stray animal feed, improper discarding of food waste and poor housekeeping encourage rat infestations. Consistent maintenance of good housekeeping, refuse management, regulatory routine pest control checks and effective treatment must be carried out by land owners, food shop managers, building management and supermarket managers.
Rat and cockroach infestations are a common threat found in food establishments. Pest control measures and management systems have to be established in order to be certified as an NEA licensed pest control company.
NEA is a government agency and public organisation responsible for maintaining a sustainable and clean environment. NEA collaborates with its partners and the local community to launch and develop public health and environmental initiatives and programmes, and is dedicated to retaining the occurrence of vector-borne diseases at an all-time low. It also provides surveillance programmes of vector populations or emerging diseases, public educational campaigns pertaining to these diseases for prevention measures, and the required adoption of regular inspections at residential and commercial spaces.
Applied laboratory and field research are also enacted by NEA through its Environmental Health Institute (EHI) to gain a better comprehension of the threat of these diseases to deliver and produce solutions for preventing these threats. Additionally, the Singapore Pest Management Association (SPMA) is a registered organisation that maintains the pest management industry, while the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is a government agency and statutory board under the the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) that manages the food safety and security of its farm-to-fork strategy.
Key Trends
Advanced technology and innovation pave way for pest control solutions
The adoption of technology and innovation in Singapore has provided many advantages and solutions for pest management. According to a report by The Straits Times in July 2018, to manage the rodent problems within shopping malls more effectively, the usage of artificial intelligence (AI) will aid in the studying of data provided from rodent sensors.
In 2018, the Singapore Management University’s (SMU) research laboratory, LiveLabs Urban Lifestyle Innovation Platform, and Pestech began a two-year collaboration, signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to adopt and carry out this venture. The data provided would deliver hourly and daily predictions of rodent locations and behavioural patterns. In 2014, SFA’s Agriculture Productivity Fund (APF), valued at SGD 63 million, was established for the joint-funding of advanced, productive farming systems with more efficient environmental control, and for enhancing production capabilities and capacity.
In April 2019, at the Singapore Urban Pest Management Forum, Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Environment and Water Resources, declared that the integration of the pest management sector with the Environmental Services Industry Transformation Map (ES ITM) would transform the pest management, cleaning and waste management sectors.
Masagos reportedly mentioned that with the economic growth of the country, public expectations of service standards and demand would also rise, while climate changes would lead to a potential increase in pest and vector issues. Strategies and initiatives towards pest management were specifically focused on four components of the ES ITM - technology and innovation, jobs and skills, productivity and internationalisation.
Implementation of natural resources aids in prevention and control of water pollution and plant infestations
As reported in TODAY (online) in 2019, NEA has established guidelines for fogging practices to be carried out in mosquito-infested areas, via the E-fogging Submission System; the fogging pesticides used by NEA do not have a lasting consequence on the environment while the concentration for these pesticides is also approved by the WHO. In order to prevent and control water pollution, the use of termiticide is highly approved; however, certain requirements must be met by pest control operators, who are not obligated to inform NEA's pollution control department on the schedules of soil treatment.
In 2020, amidst the outbreak of the pandemic, some local restaurants stopped using pest control services during the circuit breaker period. Pest control operators warned the local community that a pest outbreak was fast approaching if restaurants continued to neglect using pest control.
The National Parks Board (NParks) is a government agency responsible for the greenery, biodiversity conservation, and wildlife and animal health, welfare and management within the country. NParks has noted that microscopic and sub-microscopic pathogens and insects can cause consequential damage to plants, and that pest control varies according to the plants, pests and causal agents concerned.
Integrated pest management (IPM), a pest control strategy, comprises an integration of various control methods; the rapid reproduction of insects is encouraged while the usage of pesticides is applicable as a last resort.
Key Statistics
- By the end of March 2019, an SGD 38 million contribution was confirmed by the APF to support 110 farms.
- In October 2022, a 20% rise in the Aedes aegypti mosquito population was detected in Singapore when compared to the population levels in 2021. NEA urged stakeholders and the local community to maintain good housekeeping and remove any stagnant water that is present.
- On 19 November 2022, at the end of the week, it was announced that 316 dengue cases were found, with an increase of 22 cases versus the previous week.
Top Singapore MNCs in Pest Control
ECOLAB ASIA PACIFIC PTE. LTD.
Incorporated in 2012, Singapore-based Ecolab Asia Pacific is the regional headquarters of Ecolab Corporate Center located in the USA. Ecolab has expertise in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services. Since pests can potentially spread infections, the firm works towards pest control by working in collaboration with its clients to find solutions that help solve their food safety and contamination issues. Ecolab presented Food Safety And Water Management Solutions at Drinktec 2022, where the firm highlighted an Intelligent Rodent Monitoring system that provides visibility and control. Using a smart-device programme, Ecolab pinpointed rodent activity, pressure points and risk areas.
RENTOKIL INITIAL SINGAPORE PRIVATE LIMITED
Rentokil Initial was founded in the United Kingdom and has established its presence across Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and Africa. The organization provides various solutions and services in over 60 countries. Rentokil Initial Singapore has been a pest management specialist since 1964. The firm takes care of its clients’ residential, commercial and industrial pest control needs, and has achieved several accolades including bizSAFE STAR, Singapore Quality Class and Superbrands 2014 (Consumer and Business Choice). Rentokil Initial also received the Expat Living Readers’ Choice Gold Award 2021, and was the preferred brand choice for pest control services in Singapore for four consecutive years.
ANTICIMEX PEST MANAGEMENT PTE. LTD.
Headquartered in Sweden, Anticimex provides pest control solutions in 20 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America. Anticimex Pest Management, which was incorporated in Singapore in 1984, offers a range of integrated treatment solutions for residential and commercial premises. These services include dealing with infestations of termites, ants and bedbugs, etc. and invasion of rodents. The company has gained ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018 and bizSAFE STAR certifications. Anticimex is recommended and listed as one of the best pest control companies in Singapore by websites and entities such as Dumb Little Man, Bestinsingapore.co, Handyman Reviewed, Fun Empire and Money Smart.
ATALIAN SERVICES PTE. LTD.
ATALIAN Global Services is headquartered in France and operates in over 36 countries across Europe, North America, South-East Asia and Africa. Its regional headquarters in Asia, ATALIAN Singapore, has been providing cleaning, pest control and landscaping services nationwide since 2017. As a facility services provider, the firm has sector-specific expertise in the private and public sectors. ATALIAN specializes in the prevention and eradication of flies, termites, mosquitoes, ants, bedbugs, cockroaches, and rats and other rodents. The company covers many environments and facilities, such as residential properties, factories and warehouses, restaurants, hotels, food production and preparation facilities, shopping centres, entertainment complexes and cinemas among others.
IKARI SERVICES PTE LTD
IKARI Environmental Group is based in Japan and specializes in environmental hygiene and sanitation. The group has 90 branches in Japan and an established overseas network in eight Asian territories – namely Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Saipan. Pest, odour and fungi/bacterial control services are the focus areas of Ikari Services, the company’s branch which was founded in Singapore in 1976. Pests including ants, cockroaches, flies, bedbugs, termites, rodents, mosquitoes, booklice, ticks, fleas, bees and snakes can all be eliminated with the company’s environmentally friendly and human-safe pest control techniques.
Top Singapore Large Local Enterprises in Pest Control
KILLEM PEST PTE LTD
Established in Singapore in 1993, Killem Pest is a firm that provides pest management services. The company serves customers in the commercial, residential and government sectors. Killem Pest offers solutions for all types of pest problems relating to classic household pests including ants, mosquitoes, mice, rodents, bedbugs and cockroaches, as well as potentially dangerous pests such as snakes, bees, wasps, spiders and hornets. In addition to general pest management services, the firm also offers soil treatment, bin chute flush-outs and bee relocation services. Killem Pest was the winner of the Promising SME 500 Award in 2012.
AARDWOLF PESTKARE (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
Aardwolf Pestkare is a Singaporean pest management provider which was founded in 1997. The firm offers solutions for all types of pest problems including the elimination of ants, snakes, rats, bedbugs, booklice, cat fleas, dog ticks, stored product insects and more. Aardwolf Pestkare is also an NEA-approved disinfection company that conducts both wipe-down and disinfection services. The firm’s Anti-Microbial Disinfection effectively eliminates viruses, bacteria, mould and foul smells. Technical services like identification, investigation and consultation on pest management programmes are offered by the company to local and international clients.
CAMPAIGN COMPLETE SOLUTIONS PTE. LTD.
Campaign Complete Solutions is a Singapore-based cleaning and maintenance group which was founded in 1986. The firm offers a wide array of facility services to sectors such as commercial, residential, healthcare, hospitality, industrial and town council conservancy. As a provider of integrated solutions, the firm is focused on meeting the demanding standards of pest management services. Regular sanitization and thorough disinfection are provided by the company to inhibit the spread of infections associated with the Hotel Component (common facilities) and Hospital Component (patient facilities). Campaign Complete Solutions ensures the safety of patients/residents, staff and visitors by providing mandatory training for its employees.
ATL MAINTENANCE PTE. LTD.
ATL Maintenance, which was incorporated in Singapore in 1985, provides a range of services: Custodial & Janitorial, External Facade Cleaning, Landscaping & Horticultural, Pest Management and Waste Management. ATL’s pest management services include the eradication of cockroaches, ants, fleas, bedbugs, flies, rodents, termites, mosquitoes and more. Additionally, ATL Maintenance provides disinfection services for residents, offices, clubs, etc. using NEA-approved disinfectants. Disinfection services are also offered to clients for their cars along with cockroach treatment with a year's warranty. ATL’s list of clientele includes the Singapore Tourism Board, Singapore Islamic Hub and Marine Parade Town Council.
PEST-PRO MANAGEMENT PTE. LTD.
Pest-Pro Management has been a local pest control company in Singapore since 2008, offering services to both the B2C and B2B market sectors. Pest-Pro Management is licensed and recognized by the National Environment Agency (NEA), Building & Construction Authority (BCA) – L3 under the Work Head MW04, and it is a bizSAFE STAR service provider. The company was also honoured with the Top 100 Service Excellence Award. Pest-Pro Management treats all types of common pests such as termites, cockroaches, rodents, ants, mosquitoes, bedbugs, bees, etc. Its services are extended to condominiums, factories, warehouses, homes, offices, construction sites and food establishments among others.
PRIMECH A & P PTE. LTD.
Primech A&P is a Singapore-based firm that has delivered solutions for conservancy cleaning since 1988. The firm has expertise in delivering bespoke and integrated facility solutions to hotels, town councils, statutory boards, airport terminals, schools and private establishments. The company employs trained technicians to exterminate all kinds of pests plaguing its clients' properties. With environmentally-friendly products, Primech A&P offers services such as tree spraying, insect extermination and rodent removal. Additionally, the company offers disinfection services by using different processes such as spraying through fogging machines, using an electrostatic machine as well as steam.
MAINT-KLEEN PTE. LTD.
Maint-Kleen was founded in 2002 as a cleaning services company in Singapore. The firm has expertise in providing pest management services. Through a thorough site inspection, and by using NEA-approved and certified pesticides, as well as regular monitoring, Maint-Kleen helps clients get rid of all kinds of pests such as rodents, mosquitoes, ants, termites, cockroaches, flies, bedbugs, fleas, ticks and more. The company assures its clients of its ability to eradicate pests from any type of residential, commercial or industrial property. Maint-Kleen also provides disinfection services for the elimination of all types of bacterial or viral infections.
Top Singapore SMEs in Pest Control
PESTBUSTERS PTE LTD
Since 1991, PestBusters has offered pest control services in Singapore. The firm has expertise in services such as wasp nest removal, fumigation, termite management, cockroach control, pest proofing work, and commercial and residential pest control services to eradicate mosquitoes, rats, squirrels, fleas, etc. Among the awards and accolades conferred on the firm are Singapore Promising Brand Winner in 2002 and Singapore’s National Training Award. PestBusters also received recognition as being among the Top 3 Pest Control Companies in Hougang by Three Best Rated (SINGAPORE). PestBusters is also known for its disinfection services and germicidal solutions island-wide.
WIPEOUT PEST CONTROL SERVICES PTE LTD
Wipeout Pest Control Services is a Singaporean pest control firm that was founded in June 1995. In domestic as well as commercial establishments island-wide, the company controls and manages all kinds of pests such as woodlice, booklice, fleas, ticks, rodents, flies, mosquitoes, common ants and more. The firm has expertise in the eradication of destructive pests like termites through treatment methods and control measures such as dusting, baiting and anti-termite soil treatment. In 2019, the firm was listed on the HandyMan Reviewed website under ‘The 9 Companies for the Best Bedbug Control in Singapore’ category.
STAR PEST CONTROL PTE LTD
Established in 2000, Star Pest Control is a pest control service provider in Singapore. The ISO 45001:2018 and bizSAFE STAR certified firm offers general pest control services to individual clients as well as companies, such as F&B establishments, who are provided with thorough inspections and audits along with detailed reports. In many locations, including town council estates and commercial buildings, Star Pest Control has partnered on numerous rat-related initiatives with the necessary authorities. The company stays on standby 24/7 for dangerous pests and animals. Additionally, Star Pest Control provides disinfection treatment for offices, cars and houses, by using NEA-approved chemicals.
SYSTEM PEST CONTROL SERVICES PTE LTD
System Pest Control Services was incorporated in 1990 in Singapore. The firm offers a comprehensive range of general pest control solutions to residential and commercial properties, which help to effectively control and manage common pests such as ants, cockroaches, rodents, termites, flies, mosquitoes and more. These services not only help to get rid of unwanted pests, but also prevent their recurrence in the future. Additional services provided by the company include disinfection services using laboratory-tested chemicals to eliminate viruses and bacterial infections, keeping households and commercial premises safe and their occupants healthy.
THE PESTMAN, PTE LTD
Established in Singapore in 1999, The Pestman provides pest management consulting services. The company provides a comprehensive range of domestic, commercial and industrial services, from treating common ants and termites in residential properties, to offering pest control services and continuous pest prevention programmes to hotels, restaurants, the food industry, schools, condominiums and hospitals among others. A full range of ad-hoc services is also offered by the company. After a thorough evaluation of the premises, The Pestman provides a customized plan based on the individual requirements of each client or company.
ABJ PTE LTD
Founded in 2000, ABJ is a Singapore-based professional service provider with expertise in pest control. The company’s services are offered to clients at places such as condominiums, private properties, commercial buildings, hotels, factories, construction sites, institutions, etc. ABJ offers solutions that include the elimination of termites, ants, cockroaches, flies, rodents and mosquitoes in residential areas or restaurants with poor housekeeping. Common garden pests such as snails, aphids, earwigs and millipedes, are also controlled through the use of residual spray. The company has earned ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001, BCA Level 4 and bizSAFE STAR certifications.
PESTKARE PTE. LTD.
PESTKARE is a Singaporean pest control company that specializes in vector control in the island’s construction industry. The firm was incorporated in 2012, and offers services that include various forms of Pre (Soil Treatment)/Post (Slab Injection) Anti Termite Treatments as well as Vector Control Management Programs (on mosquitoes, rodents, flies, ants and cockroaches). Additionally, the company works to get rid of bedbugs, ticks, fleas, dust mites and other pesky insects. It also gets rid of snakes, stray dogs and cats, hornets and other potentially harmful pests. PESTKARE was the winner of the Promising SME 500 Award in 2016.
SERVCARE SERVICES PTE LTD
Incorporated in 1999, the Singapore-headquartered company Servcare Services provides a full range of pest control services to residential, commercial, F&B, the industrial sector and more. Servcare Services is an NEA-licensed company, which provides a range of services, including control over booklice, dog ticks, rodents, bed bugs, fleas and more. Additionally, the firm offers solutions for cars through fumigation and gel baiting methods. Servcare is also able to conduct disinfection services for offices, workplaces and residences by delivering comprehensive solutions with both wipe-down and misting techniques.
VERMINATOR PTE. LTD.
Established in 1993, Verminator is a Singapore-based pest management company that is focused on environmental and health protection. Thus, Verminator selects a range of products that are registered and approved by the National Environment Agency (NEA), along with application methods that are designed to prevent adverse health effects, particularly in sensitive situations when dealing with children, pets and medical conditions such as asthma. The firm's Integrated Pest Management services range from one-time treatment through a fully inclusive pest management contract comprising preventive routine visits, written reports and recommendations, to emergency callouts between routine visits for specific pests.
HORSBURGH INTEGRATED SERVICES PTE. LTD.
Headquartered in Singapore, Horsburgh Integrated Services, which was founded in 1996, offers cleaning, disinfection and pest control services. The company has earned the BCA L5 Grade and bizSAFE STAR accreditations by providing services to both the public and private sectors, including those in the construction, defence, education and healthcare sectors, as well as food centres and various government institutions. Using the most cutting-edge technology available on the market, the company's licensed professionals in vector control eradicate pests at their source. Handling infectious diseases through cleaning and sanitation is also part of Horsburgh Integrated Services’ key operations.
Top Singapore Fastest-Growing Companies in Pest Control
FOCUS PEST MANAGEMENT PTE. LTD.
Focus Pest Management, which was established in 2005 in Singapore, offers its clients fumigation and pest control services. The company is an NEA-licensed entity, which has achieved accreditation from the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA). In addition to general pest management and related services, Focus Pest Management provides anti-termite treatments, garden and lawn care programmes, and the removal of pests that are dangerous and a nuisance. In order to ensure that raw wood materials used for packing are free of pests and insects, and to stop them from being introduced and transmitted to other nations during international trade, the company undertakes the fumigation of raw wood packages.
ANTICIMEX PEST MANAGEMENT PTE. LTD.
Headquartered in Sweden, Anticimex provides pest control solutions in 20 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America. Anticimex Pest Management, which was incorporated in Singapore in 1984, offers a range of integrated treatment solutions for residential and commercial premises. These services include dealing with infestations of termites, ants and bedbugs, etc. and invasion of rodents. The company has gained ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018 and bizSAFE STAR certifications. Anticimex is recommended and listed as one of the best pest control companies in Singapore by websites and entities such as Dumb Little Man, Bestinsingapore.co, Handyman Reviewed, Fun Empire and Money Smart.
ESUN PEST MANAGEMENT PTE. LTD.
Established in Singapore in 2013, ESUN Pest Management is a pest control solutions provider. Undertaking preliminary inspections, ascertaining the level of infestation and the elimination of pests are all part of the company's operations. Activities involving pest management typically focus on preventing the spread of disease by rodents, cockroaches, mosquitoes, and other animals and insects. ESUN has a list of clientele spread island-wide that is inclusive of condominiums, showrooms, schools and child care centres, religious buildings, commercial and residential properties, construction sites, hotels and food processing plants among others.
ORIGIN EXTERMINATORS PTE LTD
Since 1982, ORIGIN Exterminators has offered pest and bug control services in Singapore. These services include the management and control of pests such as mosquitoes, termites, rodents, cockroaches, ants, flies and bedbugs, as well as the removal of bee/hornet hives, wasp nests and more. The company’s solutions are customized to each industry in Singapore – from providing chemical-free options in factories, to asthma-safe misting in schools. ORIGIN Exterminators uses a gentle non-staining water-based treatment indoors and on all surfaces. Its customized flush-out treatments are said to be effective and safe. The firm was the first pest management company to gain the ISO 14001 EMS certification in 2000.
GREAT STRIKES PEST MANAGEMENT PTE. LTD.
Incorporated in Singapore in 2013, Great Strikes Pest Management has expertise in dealing with a variety of pests. Paired with regular upgrades in knowledge, equipment and the latest in technology, the firm is well placed to offer effective solutions to its clients for any pest related problem. The company’s list of clientele includes F&B outlets and residential properties since these are prime targets of pests, along with commercial properties. In order to preserve a pest-free environment, Great Strikes Pest Management also offers its solutions to buildings housing both food companies and non-food factories. Another essential component of its services is pest control in dormitories.
DYNAMIC SANITO SEA PTE. LTD.
Dynamic Sanito is a Japanese pest control company which distributes its brand HYSIA in 12 countries across Asia and Oceania. Dynamic Sanito SEA is the firm’s Singapore-based branch which has been responsible for the company’s domestic and international expansion under the brand name HYSIA SINGAPORE since 2016. The company now has a franchise partner in Taiwan, and customers in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia. By utilizing the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) theory, Dynamic Sanito SEA designs and implements pest control programmes to eradicate pests such as insects and rats. These programmes comply with HACCP principles and food safety management standards.
MAJOR'S PEST MANAGEMENT SERVICES PTE. LTD.
Established in 2003, Major's Pest Management Services is a Singapore-based pest control company. Its NEA-licensed technicians offer management solutions for the infestation of bedbugs, ticks, fleas, bees, hornets, wasps, dust mites and more. Weed management is an essential part of integrated pest management for the prevention of mosquito breeding, as well as the reduction in areas of harborage of snakes and rodents. The company’s pest elimination procedures include termite baiting systems, rodent detection using thermal imaging, gel baiting and residual spray applications for ants and flies, and using a more recent technology ATTRATHOR spray for cockroaches.
PREMIER ECO-CARE PTE. LTD.
Premier Eco-Care is a Singaporean pest control and fumigation company that was established in 2008. The firm’s pest management service programmes are designed to prevent any property belonging to the domestic, commercial and industrial sectors from being invaded by ants, mosquitoes, mice, rodents, bedbugs and cockroaches, as well as potentially dangerous pests that include snakes, spiders, bees, hornets and wasps. All of the company’s treatment plans are customized for each client. Among the awards conferred on Premier Eco-Care is the Best Business Award for three consecutive years (2018, 2019 and 2020) by Three Best Rated (SINGAPORE), and ISO 45001:2018, ISO 14001:2004 and ISO 9001:2008 certifications.
