Surprising! ‘Ubat Gegat’ Actually Isn’t For Cockroaches!

When we found out about this, we were shocked too. Ubat gegat or mothball isn’t for cockroaches! What? Really?

Yes. Surprisingly, mothballs aren’t for cockroaches. We had this notion because our grandparents or parents used ubat gegat to chase the pest away.

According to Naim AJ Pest on Twitter, putting mothballs in the wardrobe doesn’t affect the flying insect in any way. In fact, he once saw a cockroach eat a mothball! Therefore, it’s a myth that many believe.

Then, if it’s not for cockroaches, who?

Ubat gegat is for an insect named ‘gegat’

Mothballs are designed to chase the gegat away. Gegat, or silverfish, gets its name due to its silvery, metallic appearance and fish-like shape and movements. Silverfish are also known as bristletails because of their three long, bristle-like appendages on the rear end of their body. Some thought it was in line with a centipede, but no.

Silverfish typically live in moist and humid areas like bathrooms, basements and attics.

These little and invisible insects don’t often show themselves, but they’re as abundant as the cockroaches in the house. Although they’re categorised as crawling insect pests (harmless), silverfish can damage many things.

Typically, they’re seen in old books. Why? They like to munch on the glue on the pages or the book!

Picture: Fox Pest Control

How to get rid of the insect?

Silverfish move really fast. Normal aerosol won’t get rid of them entirely.

Therefore, there’s a specific mothball that can chase away the silverfish. It’s called Dklorobenzina or Naphtalene. These two types of mothballs are flammable. The scent of this poison can reach the insect.

Picture” Twitter Naim AJ Pest

Aside from that, mothballs can also be used to get rid of moths and kamitetep. But it’s not 100% effective on cockroaches because those pests are immune to poison. They absorb the mothball’s properties. Thus, that’s why cockroaches eat the poison sometimes.

Hm… so how to chase the roaches away? Do you know?

Sources: Twitter Naim AJ Pest, Pest World.org

Adib Mohd

Recent Posts

Not Just Big Sales Anymore, Lazada Drops Daily Deals

Gone are the days when online shopping was just about big monthly sales and surprise… Read More

7 hours ago

Red Army Watches Malaysia & SEVENFRIDAY Celebrate Merdeka with a Limited-Edition Riley Bear in Batik

In celebration of Malaysia’s Independence Day and Malaysia Day 2025, Red Army Watches Malaysia is… Read More

9 hours ago

HABIB Celebrates Malaysia’s Heritage with Modern Sparkle This Merdeka

Malaysia’s homegrown jeweller, HABIB, returns with its iconic Jualan Merdeka campaign, running nationwide from now… Read More

9 hours ago

Sacoor Brothers Reimagines Luxury with New Flagship Boutique at Suria KLCC

Portuguese luxury fashion house Sacoor Brothers has unveiled its newly redesigned flagship boutique at Suria… Read More

9 hours ago

Casio x The Sandbox: G-SHOCK Is Now in the Metaverse

Brace yourself, your favorite tough-as-nails watch just got a futuristic makeover. Casio is teaming up… Read More

13 hours ago

Pandora’s “Colour Pop” Collection Is Serving Summer Energy in Every Sparkle

Looking to brighten up your style this summer? Pandora's latest “Colour Pop” collection is bringing… Read More

13 hours ago

This website uses cookies.