Friday, Jun 07, 2013
Dubai: Dubai Municipality has witnessed a decline in pest complaints but there is still work to do by residents to help keep the emirate free and clean to prevent the spread of disease, say municipal officials.
From January to September 2012, Dubai Municipality witnessed a 15.4 per cent decline of pest related complaints from 34,824 in 2011 to 29,465 in 2012, including emergency and non-emergency calls.
Pest experts have urged residents to regularly dispose of their rubbish bins and use treated fertiliser during the scorching summer to keep flies at bay.
“People should regularly dispose of their waste and use treated fertiliser instead of natural fertilisers, because flies breed in compost organic matters,” said Dr Mahi Jubran, Public Health Pest Specialist, Pest Control Section at Dubai Municipality.
“If residents follow the basic guidelines, they will not be bothered by insects, because they tend to be less of a problem in the summer time due to their life cycle, which is dependant on the outdoor temperature. Once the temperature exceeds 43 degrees Celsius, bugs are no longer able to lay eggs,” he explained.
He pointed out that the same methodology applies to the cooler months as well, as insects are not able to lay eggs once the temperature reaches below 13 degrees Celsius.
Dr Jubran explained that the presence of flies and mosquitoes vary, as they each tend to thrive in environments suited to their own habitat.
Mosquitoes are present whenever rainfall occurs as well as in artificial lakes, and Dr Jubran said that people mistake biting midges for mosquitoes, which is a different kind of species but are also prominent around the creeks and artificial lakes.
Flies follow the same maximum and minimum temperature range to breed, and are prominent in areas with exposed rubbish bins. Flies and mosquitoes typically hatch their eggs during the cooler months from December to March.
He pointed out that Dubai Municipality has taken stringent action to reduce the number of insects across the city, through disposing waste from municipal bins and cleaning them every night.
“We have strict rules and all cafeterias and restaurants dispose of their waste properly, and do not leave any rubbish lying on the streets. We have not received any complaints about flies being a menace in food outlets, and if residents barbeque in any park, they will not be affected either because we spray the appropriate amount of pesticide in all parks,” said Dr Jubran.
The section intensified efforts and provides the best possible services and strives to achieve the civic body’s vision to build a healthy society free of pests and diseases.
‘These notifications include emergency and non-emergency calls and the emergency requests are implemented within maximum 24 hours which are related to snakes, scorpions, bees, wasps and spiders, and non-emergency requests for mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, ants bed bugs, rats, and mice are carried out within three business days,” said Hisham Abdulrahman Al Yahya, head of pest control section.
By Mariam M. Al Serkal Senior Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
