Dubai: Dubai Municipality has urged residents to employ the services of accredited pest control firms only to avoid any dangers to public health.
The civic body recently held an awareness workshop to emphasise the importance of using approved means and authorised service providers to get rid of domestic pests.
The workshop, held at Union Cooperative Mall, stressed the need to take preventive safety measures in the use of domestic pesticides, which are sold in retail shops.
It has warned the public against the use of concentrated pesticides, which are meant for the use of pest control companies.
“Seek the services of accredited private companies to combat insects or avail of the services of the Public Health Pest Control Section at Dubai Municipality as they are the only ones authorised to use these pesticides to control pests,” a municipality official said in a statement.
On the use of domestic pesticides, the statement said: “Read the information card and evacuate the place to be sprayed. The windows and air conditioners should be closed and the user should also wear a mask, gloves and avoid inhaling the pesticide.”
Spraying the pesticide near food, pets or children could be hazardous.
“Do not spray on an open flame or on bright surfaces. Spray in places where there are insects and keep the room closed for 20 minutes after spraying,” the official said.
The treated place should be properly ventilated later by opening the windows and air conditioners.
Following the use of domestic pesticides the containers should be disposed of in a proper manner.
“Do not use the empty container, do not puncture or incinerate and keep the container away from direct sunlight. Dispose of the empty or expired pesticide containers by placing them in plastic bags and throwing them in the space provided for that,” read the statement.
