'Bed bug' infestation seen in AMK Hub public bench, Town Council says it's cockroaches

A number of creepy-crawlies were recently spotted in a public sitting area at AMK Hub.

In a Mar. 30 Facebook post, the user filmed the insects hiding in between the wooden slats.

He said they appeared to be bed bugs.

The "severe infestation" was at an outdoor bench right outside the McDonald's outlet at AMK Hub, according to the video.

Bitten on the butt

Subsequently, the user shared a response by the Ang Mo Kio Town Council in the comments section, in which they identified the insects as cockroaches instead.

But he expressed doubt that they were cockroaches, as he claimed had been bitten on the butt 20 times.

He also said he had seen elderly people lying down and sitting on the bench, and advised members of the public to be avoid it.

What's that insect?

In response to Mothership's queries, the Ang Mo Kio Town Council reiterated that the insects were cockroaches.

"Our property team conducted checks with our pest control operator this morning and confirmed that the insects observed were cockroaches, not bedbugs," the town council spokesperson said on Mar. 30, in response to Mothership's queries.

Mothership also consulted an entomologist from Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Foo Maosheng, on the insects' identity.

Foo said that based on the video, the insects appear to be bed bugs and not cockroaches.

He said that the insects' legs appeared thin and not spiny, and they do not have cerci (tail-like appendages) at their rear.

This suggests that they are not cockroaches, and more likely bed bugs.

Treatment in progress

The Ang Mo Kio Town Council spokesperson said that pest control treatment is currently in progress.

"We will continue to monitor the area closely to maintain a clean and comfortable environment for residents and visitors," they added.

They encouraged members of the public to dispose food and rubbish into covered bins to keep away pests.

Top images from Iezekiel Yeo/Facebook