Record Heat Drives Pests Indoors in Singapore — Experts Warn

Record Heat Is Forcing Insects and Rodents into Buildings

Singapore’s reputation for cleanliness is being tested as rising temperatures push insects and rodents to seek refuge indoors. Experts say heat-stressed pests are increasingly invading homes, businesses and public spaces — a trend linked to broader ecological stress from warming, habitat loss and urban development.

Reports cited by Mongabay note that high-profile sites, including Changi Airport and the Apple store at Marina Bay Sands, have experienced plant infestations and disease outbreaks tied to insect incursions.

“The insects are coming inside — to escape the heat,” said Veera Sekaran, a botanist at the National University of Singapore.

Rising Numbers and Rising Temperatures

The National Environment Agency detected nearly 5,400 rat burrows in the first half of 2025 — almost double the count from the same period last year. Temperatures are climbing rapidly: 2024 tied Singapore’s warmest year on record, and projections indicate the city could face up to 189 extremely hot days per year by 2050, compared with about 21 today.

Ecological Imbalance and Unintended Consequences

Scientists warn that the surge in pest sightings is more than a nuisance; it signals a wider ecological imbalance driven by heat stress, deforestation and urban expansion. As local temperatures rise at roughly twice the global average rate, wildlife and insects are losing natural habitats and seeking refuge in artificial environments such as buildings, gardens and managed green spaces.

At the same time, Singapore’s pest-control industry has expanded to more than 430 licensed firms. Many operators still rely heavily on chemical sprays and glue traps, practices that can harm non-target wildlife and reduce biodiversity. The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society has rescued thousands of unintended victims — including birds and snakes — from glue traps in recent years.

Greener, Sustainable Responses

Experts and authorities are testing more sustainable approaches. One example is Project Wolbachia, which uses Wolbachia bacteria to reduce mosquito reproduction and disease transmission without broad-spectrum pesticides. Conservationists are also calling for better forest protection, more extensive urban greening, and habitat restoration to cool the city naturally and restore balance for pollinators and predators.

What Residents Can Do

• Choose eco-friendly pest control: nontoxic deterrents and targeted biological controls when available.
• Reduce attractants: secure waste disposal, compost management and prompt removal of food waste.
• Restore habitat where possible: plant native species and support urban greening to provide refuges for predators and pollinators.
• Avoid indiscriminate use of glue traps and broad-spectrum poisons that harm non-target species and pets.

Addressing this issue requires a combination of household actions, smarter pest management, and policy support for urban nature. The spike in indoor pest activity is a visible symptom of climate-driven ecological change — and one that can be mitigated with more sustainable practices.