Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Sharjah: Officials across the country have again warned residents against hiring unlicensed pest control services, after four people died in separate incidents recently in the UAE.

They died between June 1 and July 1 after their neighbouring residences were treated with industrial-strength pesticides banned for domestic purposes.

Officials said federal and local governments are closely regulating the pest control sector to ensure safety, with clear national and emirate-level laws and procedures in place for enforcement.

There have been a number of arrests and clampdowns on rogue services following the deaths, and during the first six months of 2013, Dubai Municipality shut down eight pest control companies for using banned pesticides in homes.

El Mahi El Tilib Gubran, public health pest studies specialist, Public Health Services Department at Dubai Municipality, told Gulf News that pesticides are organised into restricted, banned and permissible categories.

The Ministry of Environment and Water is the only authority to register pesticides, and have issued a list of approved chemicals to be used in the country. The local bodies in each emirate are then in charge of implementing the law and carrying out regular inspections among pest control companies, in addition to inspecting retail outlets to ensure that all ready-to-use pesticides on sale are registered with the ministry.

“We carry out regular evaluations on the performance of pest operators and classify them into five groups, with A and B being the best to D and E, which need to improve their services,” said Gubran, who noted that all registered companies are supposed to supply the list of the chemicals they use to the Pest Control Section.

He explained that pest control companies across the country are required to hold a valid trade licence, and have an office in the emirate where the license was issued from and where they intend to operate at. It must also demonstrate that it has secure facilities to store pesticides, and employs a qualified supervisor and operator who holds a valid Bachelors degree related to the field.

“We carry out awareness programs in schools, shopping centres and worker accommodations so that all members of the public are educated on the dangers of using unlicensed pest control companies, and the fatal threat of using toxic chemical in their homes,” said Gubran.

There are 112 registered pest control companies in Dubai, 60 in Sharjah and about 100 in Abu Dhabi.

Yousef Abdullah, head of the Solid Waste Department at Sharjah Municipality, said pest control professionals have to first obtain a license from the Sharjah economic department so they can apply for a permit from the Solid Waste Department.

Candidates must be engineers in sciences related to pest control, like chemistry, agriculture and environment. Abdullah added the applicants also have to take tests for securing a permit, which is renewed annually.

Abdullah said that the municipality carries out regular inspections. “Pest companies have to pass a certain criteria, they should be operating with a license, and should only be using legal materials,” he added.

Abdulla pointed out that many people claim to be professionals by producing fake cards. “They usually don’t have a license, and they include a name and only a mobile number. People should make sure the person works for a (registered) company by asking them to provide their municipality permit.”

In Abu Dhabi, the Centre of Waste Management (CWM) is responsible for licensing and approving all pest control companies that service residential, commercial and industrial facilities. These companies are known collectively as public health pest control companies, and are regulated differently from those that provide agricultural pest control.

The CWM official also highlighted that three federal regulations guide pest control in the UAE: the Federal Law 41 for the Year 1992, the Ministerial Decree No.13 for the year 2012 and the Cabinet Decision No 27 for the year 2012.

As per the Cabinet Decision No 27, a pest control company that violates licensing or use procedures could temporarily have its activities suspended for up to three months till the violation is corrected, or could be shut down and have its licence withdrawn for failing to comply with the applicable laws.

“In addition, companies are mandated to display a notice that informs tenants when they perform pest control spraying in buildings,” the official said.

“Residents can also contact the CWM on 800555. [We] will look into whether the pest control company is licensed, if the pesticide being used is registered by the Ministry of Environment and Water and if it is being applied as per the manufacturer instructions.”

He also stressed that the fumigation is not permitted in residential building, and that only residual spray pesticides are permitted for use.

“In case of any symptoms of poisoning among family members, consult a physician immediately. If possible, it is also recommended to take the pesticide container to the doctor,” the official