Ants, Cockroaches, Termites and Geckos in a Cambodian Home: What to Do

Prepared by the NovAsia Editorial Team

In Cambodian housing, it is hard to prevent every insect from appearing, but constant ants, cockroaches and termites are not something residents simply need to accept. The strongest results rarely come from spraying the apartment again and again. They come from a system: remove food and water, close entry routes, identify the pest, use targeted bait or local treatment, and involve building management when the source is in a shaft, rubbish room or neighbouring unit.

House geckos require a different response. They are not insect pests and often hunt small insects near lights. They may be annoying because of sounds or droppings, but flooding an apartment with chemicals because of one gecko is usually a poor trade-off. Sealing gaps, adding screens and reducing insects usually matters more.

Cambodia’s warm humid climate allows many pests to stay active year-round. A good plan focuses on prevention and monitoring, not panic.

Why pests appear even in a clean apartment

Food is only one part of the problem. Ants and cockroaches also need water, shelter and a route in. A few drops under the refrigerator, condensation near a pipe, a damp sponge or pet food left out overnight can support activity even in a clean kitchen.

Cockroaches like warm dark gaps: behind refrigerators, under sinks, inside cabinets around pipes, near appliance motors, behind skirting boards and close to rubbish bins. You may not see them during the day because many are active at night. Regular daylight sightings can suggest a larger population, disturbed harbourage or pressure from a treatment nearby.

Ants often follow a stable trail. Workers find food or water and leave a chemical path for others. Killing the visible ants does not affect the nest. If you spray only the trail, it may disappear temporarily and return through another gap.

In a condominium, pests can move through risers, pipe openings, suspended ceilings, electrical conduits, shared exhaust routes and corridors. They may also move after renovation or treatment in a neighbouring unit. That is why cleaning must be combined with sealing and building-level management.

In a villa or townhouse, soil, garden, drainage, outdoor bins, wood and contact with the ground add risk. The nest or termite colony may be outside while only the route is visible inside.

Deliveries, cardboard boxes, storage bags, second-hand furniture and appliances can also introduce insects and egg cases. Cardboard should not be stored for weeks in a kitchen or closed storeroom. After delivery, unpack quickly, check seams and remove boxes.

Cleanliness helps, but the problem should not be turned into blame. Heavy infestation is often related to building design, common areas or previous occupants. A serious plan looks for the source.

Ants and cockroaches need different methods

An ant trail and a single large cockroach near a balcony may look like the same domestic nuisance, but the control methods differ. Before using any product, identify the activity and the likely source.

With ants, first remove visible workers with soapy water and clean the trail to remove scent. Then look for the direction of travel. If you seal one gap too early, the colony may simply find another route.

Baits often work better than contact sprays. A worker takes a slow-acting bait back to the colony. Results may not appear in an hour. In the first days, ants may look more active near the bait because they are feeding. Do not spray strong repellent nearby; it may stop them from taking the bait.

Different ants prefer sweet or protein-based food, so one bait may not attract a given colony. If a product is untouched, the problem may be bait type or placement rather than "resistant ants".

Tiny pharaoh ants require special caution. Guidance from integrated pest management programmes warns that repellent sprays can split these colonies and spread the problem. If small yellowish ants keep returning inside a building, use a professionally planned bait programme rather than random spraying along every skirting board.

Cockroaches require a wider inspection. One large roach arriving from outside drainage after heavy rain may not mean indoor breeding. Many small cockroaches of different sizes, egg cases, black droppings and regular night sightings are more consistent with an indoor colony.

Glue traps without poison are useful for monitoring. Place them along walls, under sinks, near the refrigerator and in dark corners. After several days, compare counts and sizes. Traps alone will not solve a large population, but they identify routes and help judge whether treatment is working.

For ongoing cockroach control, gel baits or enclosed bait stations placed in small amounts near harbourages are usually more sensible than repeated aerosol spraying. EPA and integrated pest management guidance emphasise combining baits with removal of food, water and shelter. Big lines of gel on open surfaces do not improve safety or performance.

Baits work poorly when grease, crumbs and open rubbish remain available. They may also lose appeal if contaminated with strong cleaners or repellent sprays. A professional should explain how to clean and how not to disturb the treatment.

Aerosol spray gives a visible quick result when a cockroach dies in front of you. But it rarely reaches the full colony in deep gaps. Frequent kitchen spraying can spread insects, contaminate surfaces and interfere with baits. For one visible insect, mechanical removal may be enough. For an established population, you need a programme.

Cockroach residues matter too. Droppings, shed skins and body fragments can act as allergens and aggravate asthma in sensitive people. After population control, clean harbourage areas and remove old contamination. For dry debris, a vacuum with a HEPA filter can reduce airborne particles.

Termites are a material risk, not a kitchen nuisance

Termites are often called white ants, but they are different insects and require different control. They feed on cellulose and can damage doors, built-in wardrobes, skirting, wooden panels, furniture, cardboard and sometimes structural timber. In a concrete high-rise, the main structure may not be wood, but interior fit-out and furniture can still be affected.

The challenge is that termites are often hidden. A colony may be in soil, wall voids, a neighbouring area or a wooden element. At the surface, you may see mud tubes, small holes, blistered paint or wood that sounds hollow when tapped.

Another sign is a swarm of winged termites, often after rain and high humidity. A few insects may have flown in from outside. Repeated emergence from a frame, skirting or cabinet inside the apartment needs inspection. Piles of identical shed wings near a gap can also indicate activity.

Household aerosol kills only insects it directly touches. The colony remains. Sealing a visible mud tube without diagnosis does not fix the issue. Professional methods may include soil barriers, bait systems or wood treatment depending on species, building design and colony location.

In a condominium, an owner should not drill common walls, pour chemicals into shafts or treat the facade independently. Photograph the evidence and involve management. If the source is a podium, garden, service channel or neighbouring unit, treating one cabinet may be only temporary.

In a landed house, moisture control and wood-to-soil contact are key. Keep drainage functioning, fix leaks, seal cracks and avoid creating a direct bridge between soil and wooden elements. Storing boards, cardboard or old furniture against an outside wall increases attraction and makes inspection harder.

When renting or buying a villa, inspect lower door frames, skirting, built-in kitchens, storage rooms, stairs and wooden elements near bathrooms. In an apartment, check kitchen cabinets, doors, decorative panels, old furniture and pipe entries. A freshly replaced skirting board or local repainting on wood deserves a question.

A professional termite company should inspect before proposing treatment. A proper proposal should describe the area, method, active product or system, follow-up and warranty conditions. A warranty matters only if it explains what happens when activity returns.

Geckos usually do not require pest treatment

Small geckos on walls and ceilings are common in warm parts of Southeast Asia. They are mostly active in the evening and at night, when insects gather near lights. Unlike cockroaches and termites, a gecko does not form a hidden colony inside a kitchen cabinet or eat building materials.

Trying to kill every gecko with chemical spray is usually unnecessary. Reduce insects, fit window screens, seal the bottom of doors and close gaps around air-conditioning pipes. If a gecko is already inside, let it exit through an open external door or guide it gently without grabbing the tail. Many geckos can drop their tail when threatened.

The main household issue is droppings. They often appear on windowsills, behind furniture, near lights or high on walls. Clean them damp, wearing gloves, and avoid sweeping dry particles onto food or dishes. Wash hands afterwards.

CDC guidance on reptiles notes that reptiles, including geckos, can carry Salmonella and shed bacteria in droppings even when they look healthy. Most guidance concerns pet reptiles that people handle, but the hygiene principle also applies to occasional house geckos: do not handle them unnecessarily, keep them away from food-preparation surfaces and clean droppings promptly.

This is especially important for households with young children, older people or immunocompromised residents. A gecko on an outside wall is not an emergency. Droppings on a kitchen counter should not be treated as harmless dust.

If many geckos appear regularly, the issue is usually access and food. Check screens, door gaps, vents, pipe penetrations and lights near open windows. Bright outdoor lighting attracts insects, and insects attract geckos. Moving the light or reducing open access can help.

Eggs may be found behind a cabinet, in a gap, under a shelf or near warm equipment. Remove them with gloves and clean the area, then seal the gap after checking it is not part of a required system.

Integrated pest management: kitchen, water and building design

Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, combines prevention, monitoring and targeted treatment. EPA describes it as a way to reduce both pest contact and unnecessary pesticide exposure. In a Phnom Penh apartment, that means chemicals come after the basic causes are addressed, not instead of them.

Leave the kitchen with no accessible food overnight. Dishes are washed or contained, counters are free of grease, pet food is put away where practical, rubbish is closed, and sugar, flour, cereal, pet food and snacks are stored in sealed containers. Thin factory packaging is not always enough.

Water matters as much as food. Fix slow drips under sinks. Let sponges and cloths dry. Check refrigerator and air-conditioner drip areas. Avoid leaving pet water directly beside kitchen harbourages overnight where another arrangement is possible without harming the animal.

Seal entry points. Close gaps around pipes after checking for leaks. Fit door sweeps, repair screens, close service holes and inspect the joint between kitchen cabinets and the wall. In a rental, agree any work affecting pipes, common shafts or facade with the owner and management.

Building rubbish systems influence results. If the rubbish room door does not close, containers overflow and the route from waste room to lift lobby is open, one apartment remains part of a bigger system. Management should organise cleaning, removal, sealing of penetrations and treatment of common areas. Spraying one unit will not solve a colony in a shaft.

In a landed house, inspect the perimeter. Branches should not touch windows or roof, outdoor drains should work, wood should not sit on damp soil, and rubbish or pet food should not be stored against the entrance. Dense vegetation against the facade creates shelter and blocks inspection.

Inspect second-hand furniture, refrigerators, microwaves and coffee machines before bringing them inside. Warm appliance bodies and internal spaces can shelter cockroaches. Cardboard from moving should not become permanent storage.

Using pesticides safely and choosing a pest-control service

A pesticide is not safe simply because it is sold in a supermarket or smells pleasant. Follow the label: target pest, allowed location, amount, ventilation and re-entry time.

Do not buy agricultural concentrates and mix them for a kitchen. A product for outdoor crops, warehouses or professional use may not be suitable for a home. Never pour pesticide into a drink bottle, store it without a label or mix products "to make them stronger".

Before professional treatment, ask:

• What pest was identified?
• Where is the likely source?
• What product and active ingredient will be used?
• Which areas will be treated?
• How long must people and pets stay out?
• How should food, toys, pet bowls and aquariums be protected?
• When will follow-up happen?

A good provider does not promise that one spray will permanently remove every pest. For cockroaches, they inspect harbourages, water and nearby areas, use monitoring and baits. For ants, they identify routes and bait preference. For termites, they diagnose separately and treat the colony system, not only visible insects.

Be very cautious with total-release foggers or "bug bombs". EPA warns about misuse risks, including human exposure and fire or explosion hazards. Fog may also fail to penetrate deep harbourages. For kitchen cockroaches, targeted bait and sanitation usually make more sense than filling the whole apartment with aerosol.

If treatment requires leaving the home, follow the product and contractor instructions. Odour is not a safety meter. After return, ventilate as instructed and clean food-preparation surfaces if they were not protected.

Children, pregnant people, older people, people with asthma and pets need extra protection. Toys, play mats, dishes, bowls and pet food should be removed from treatment areas. Aquariums may need special handling depending on the product.

Baits should be placed where children and pets cannot access them. Enclosed stations reduce risk but do not remove the need to follow instructions. Gel dots do not belong on open counters or cutting surfaces.

After treatment, do not immediately wash away everything applied. You may remove bait or residual treatment before it works. The company should explain which areas can be cleaned normally and which should be left until follow-up.

If headache, nausea, eye irritation, breathing difficulty or severe weakness appears after pesticide exposure, leave the area and seek medical help. Take a photo of the label or product name.

This article is general information and does not replace medical, toxicology, engineering or professional pest-control advice. Product choice and treatment method should be based on inspection, health status, children, animals and building design.

Bottom line

Ants, cockroaches, termites and geckos require different responses. Ant trails often point to a colony, so bait and route control work better than endless spraying. Cockroaches require monitoring, removal of food and water, sealing and targeted baits. Termites can damage materials hidden from view and are not solved by household aerosol. A gecko is usually a nocturnal insect hunter; limit entry and clean droppings hygienically.

For apartments in Phnom Penh, building management matters. Pests move through risers, shafts, rubbish rooms and neighbouring spaces. In villas, add soil, garden, drainage and wood at the facade to the inspection.

The reliable sequence is simple:

1. Identify the pest and main activity area.
2. Remove access to water, food and shelter.
3. Seal entry routes where appropriate.
4. Use traps and baits according to instructions.
5. Involve management or a professional service for repeated activity.
6. Check results after weeks, not by the number of dead insects on day one.

A good treatment leaves not a strong smell, but a clear result: activity declines, the source is addressed, gaps are closed and the resident knows what to do if it returns.

Sources

1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Integrated Pest Management Principles; Do’s and Don’ts of Pest Control. Prevention, sanitation and targeted pesticide use. Reviewed 27 June 2026.
2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Pest Control Resources for Housing Managers. Integrated cockroach control and allergen removal in multi-family housing.
3. University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program — Ants, Pharaoh Ant and Cockroaches. Baits, trail cleaning, monitoring and spray limitations.
4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Termites: How to Identify and Control Them; Tips for Selecting a Pest Control Service. Termite signs, prevention and warranties.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Reptiles and Amphibians; Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Geckos. Hygiene around reptiles and droppings.
6. World Health Organization — Childhood Pesticide Poisoning and indoor pesticide exposure materials. Risks of incorrect spraying and contamination.
7. World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal — Climate Risk Country Profile: Cambodia. Tropical heat and humid monsoon context.

Frequently asked

Is it normal to see insects in an apartment in Cambodia?

An occasional insect is possible, but constant ants, cockroaches or termite signs should not be treated as normal. Look for the source, remove food and water, seal entry points and involve building management when needed.

Can I just keep spraying ants and cockroaches?

Repeated spraying rarely solves a colony and can interfere with baits. A better approach is cleaning, sealing, monitoring and correctly chosen baits or professional treatment.

Do I need chemical treatment for a gecko in the apartment?

Usually no. Geckos do not damage building materials and often hunt insects. Seal gaps, install screens, reduce insects and clean droppings with basic hygiene.