17 firms fined for poor pest control efforts

Dubai Municipality fined 17 establishments and issued warnings to 38 shops last month for improper pest control procedures.

According to its monthly report, action was taken against violators during inspections carried out by the pest control section.

The inspections are part of a series of measures to help protect public health and prevent pest-borne diseases from occurring in the emirate.

Shops selling foodstuff, construction companies, and other establishments have to comply with the general cleanliness rules stipulated by the section and should be free from pests that are harmful to human health.

Meanwhile, three Public Health Diploma students from the Dubai Men's College underwent a one-day training in the Section's laboratory last month.

The Municipality has also been monitoring the area around Dubai International Airport, Hamriya Port and the Creek Park to detect mosquitoes, pests and vermin, which could have entered Dubai through the various entry points to the city.

According to the report, the section inspected 29 pest control companies in Dubai during June. Some 23 companies passed, four companies passed partially, while two companies failed.

The Pest Control Section has also fined four companies and served warning notices to six for improper application of pesticides, failure to wear protective clothing and using pesticides without authorisation.

Also during June, 28 candidates from private pest control companies reappeared for examinations to meet the criteria for supervisors. One requires a 70 per cent pass mark to be supervisor in the pest control industry. Eighteen of them passed. Another three from other companies passed the supervisor test.