Islamabad - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Mosquitoes can be a problem in the summer, but it's no worse than DC or anywhere in the south in the U.S. I've heard of people in lower floor apartments on compound or in off compound housing complain about minor issues with ants and drain flies, but nothing terrible and the embassy is prompt about doing pest control if you do have an issue. - Sep 2026
Termites can become a very serious problem - in certain cases buildings had to be demolished to the ground after being attacked by them. - Oct 2023
I never found pests to be a significant issue. I never even had all that many ants. Monkeys caused problems when loquat and mango trees in my yard were in season. Occasional roaches, but nothing overwhelming. - Jun 2022
Cant speak on the SDAs, but in the off compound housing you can expect to have lots of geckos in your house. Mosquitos are pretty bad outside everywhere. - Feb 2019
Cockroaches and other creepy-crawlies during rains. - Jan 2017
You might get monsoon bugs which are a nuisance but there's really nothing to be done for it. - Sep 2016
Not much, except for the occasional flies. Islamabad is outside of malaria territory, unlike Karachi. - Sep 2015
Minimal: some mosquitoes. - Aug 2015
mosquitoes - Aug 2015
I've heard of people having problems with ants and mosquitoes but I haven't had that problem. There are these really cute yellow wasps that cause intense pain if they sting you. - Apr 2014
There are dengue fever carrying mosquitoes. - Feb 2014
Mosquitoes in the fall when you don't need A/C anymore. Ants are tiny and will leave if you are scrupulous about cleaning. - Dec 2013
Typical sub-tropical problems. Ants and mosquitoes mainly. I was able to deal with the ants simply by keeping a clean house (putting my cat's food in a bowl on a saucer with water). The mosquitoes are annoying and can carry dengue. - Mar 2012
Huge cockroaches come out of my drains. - Aug 2011
Minor problems. No worse than New York. Malaria is only a threat in southern Pakistan in the Karachi area. Very few people take malaria meds in Islamabad. - May 2011
My house has an ant problem, others have roaches. Mosquitoes are also plentiful. - Jan 2010
None really. - Oct 2009