Pest Guide for Korea

Identify what's in your apartment and know what to do.

Cockroaches

바퀴벌레

Signs

Fast-moving dark insects in kitchen/bathroom at night. Droppings look like black pepper.

DIY

Gel bait (Daiso ₩3,000). Place under sink, behind fridge, near pipes.

Professional

₩30,000–60,000. Need 2–3 sessions to kill eggs.

Bed Bugs

빈대
⚠️ Act Fast

Signs

Itchy red bites in lines/clusters. Tiny blood spots on sheets. Flat reddish bugs near mattress seams.

DIY

NOT recommended. They hide deep and spread fast.

Professional

₩150,000–300,000. Heat treatment + chemicals. 2–3 sessions.

Rats / Mice

쥐

Signs

Droppings (rice-shaped), gnaw marks, scratching sounds at night, greasy marks along walls.

DIY

Snap traps + seal entry points with steel wool. Avoid poison if you have pets.

Professional

₩50,000–150,000. Includes sealing entry points.

Ants

개미

Signs

Trails of small ants near food sources, especially spring–summer. Often enter through windows/cracks.

DIY

Ant bait stations (Daiso). Clean food residue. Seal entry cracks with caulk.

Professional

₩30,000–50,000. Usually 1 session enough.

Mosquitoes

모기

Signs

Buzzing at night, itchy bites. Breed in standing water (plant saucers, drains).

DIY

Electric racket, mosquito nets, remove standing water. Plug-in repellents work well.

Professional

₩30,000–80,000. Spray treatment for severe cases.

Ticks / Mites

진드기

Signs

Allergic reactions, itchy skin, visible on bedding under magnification. Cause atopic dermatitis.

DIY

Wash bedding at 60°C+. Use mattress covers. Vacuum frequently.

Professional

₩50,000–100,000. UV + chemical treatment.

🗣️ Useful Korean Phrases