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After reports of bed bugs bit the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the country’s main gateway on Friday was pestered by a video of a rat scurrying overhead its light fixtures. 

The rat reportedly roamed around for several minutes before entering a gap in the lighting. It could have slipped through a hole in the airport’s electric wires, according to Allan Bilolo, a pest exterminator. 

“Base doon sa lugar kung nasaan siya, pwedeng roof rat yung nasa video. Kasi yung mga roof rat, ang dinadaanan talaga nila is yung mga nasa taas lang talaga,” said Bilolo, operations manager at Triple A Pest Terminator Inc. 

Rodents thrive in areas water and food are present, like leaky pipes and unmanaged garbage, he said. 

DANGERS 

“Kung hindi ma-control ang rat infestation, ang possible na mangyari is yung fire hazard, health hazard, and structural damage,” Bilolo said.

He said rats could bite pieces of electric wires blocking their way, which might cause fires.  

According to the Center for Disease and Control Prevention, infestations could spread diseases like leptospirosis, mpox and hantavirus from rodents to people. 

GETTING RID OF PESTS 

Store-bought traps and sprays might not work if they are not strategically placed by experts, Bilolo said. 

The first step in exterminating pests is to check possible entry points in homes or establishments, he said. 

“Kasi yung [mga] daga, kahit singliit lang ng ballpen ang butas, pwede na kasi sila pumasok doon basta magkasya ang head nila dun sa butas, pasok na buong katawan nila. Yun ang isang dapat i-check. I-seal nila ang mga entry points,” he said.

He said sanitation is important in preventing rodents in an area.

But when a structure is already heavily infested, it is better to seek the help of an expert, Bilolo said. 

“Bale doon papasok yung IPM, Integrated Pest Management. So sila pest control, bukod doon sa pagtulong mahuli yung rats, tinuturuan din nila ang home owners at mga nasa office kung paano nga ba maiwasan ang infestations,” Bilolo said

He added that while it is possible to completely get rid of a rat infestation, it would require constant sanitation and sealing of entry points. 

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