Dubai Municipality launches campaign to eradicate rats from city

Dubai: The Dubai Municipality has launched a five-day campaign to get rid of rodents under which it will educate residents across the emirate and cover 5,000 residential units.

The civic body has set up special teams which have made 50 field trips in the areas of Al Barsha, Al Warqa and Oud Al Muteena and will also go door-to-door to spread awareness.

"It is a preventive measure and we want to ensure a clean environment for healthy living. We have been generating awareness on how to rid your environment of rodents. This campaign involves larger sections of the society," said a Dubai Municipality official.

New residential areas

Apart from visiting households door-to-door, the municipality will conduct awareness lectures, workshops and exhibitions as part of the campaign.

The drive against rodents carries the slogan "Farewell to Rodents" and mainly focuses on the new residential areas constructed under the Mohammad Bin Rashid Housing Corporation, said Hesham Abdul Rahman Yahya, Head of the Pest Control Section with the Public Health Service Department.

The municipality's Pest Control Section has also been taking measures to implement an integrated plan to eradicate rodents which involves immediate precautionary measures in urban areas.

Apart from conducting rodent control operations, the authorities have been taking strong note of violations related to storage and cleanliness in food outlets and abandoned buildings.

At a glance

• Ensure that cracks and crevices in the external walls of your premises are covered.
• The gap under the external doors should not exceed 7mm.
• n Make it a regular habit to inspect vegetables and fruit boxes before you take them home.
• Do not keep poultry and cattle in the garden.
• Dispose of construction waste. Construction sites must get rid of unused items.
• Tie garbage bags before dumping them and do not dump garbage outside the skip.