Unauthorised pest control operators warned

Unauthorised pest control operators will be severely dealt with, Dubai Municipality warned yesterday. Residents have also been urged not to hire illegal operators, since this can endanger their own health.

Officials issued the warning yesterday after the municipality caught a man providing illegal pest control services to a resident in Deira during a public holiday.

Inspectors received a tip-off before the incident and confronted the unqualified employee of a private cleaning firm while he sprayed a house with pesticide. He had chosen a public holiday for the job, thinking that he would avoid being noticed by municipality staff.

Nasser Mohammed Obeid, head of the Pest Control Section at the municipality's Public Health Department, said that two inspectors were waiting nearby to catch the man as soon as the offence had taken place.

The bogus and unlicenced pest controller arrived at the apartment at a time he had decided with his customer. He proceeded to mix the pesticide inside the room, which is itself an offence as it can cause contamination.

The inspectors said they were able to smell the chemicals from a long way away because of the high concentration he was using and because he had left the door open. They identified themselves to the house owner and explained that the pest controller was suspected of operating illegally.

His equipment and pesticides were confiscated and the company on whose behalf he was providing the illegal service was fined for unauthorised use of pesticides and warned for operating without a valid pest control licence. They were also found to be storing pesticides in unsuitable containers.

Obeid explained that Dubai Municipality enforces strict monitoring of pest control services to safeguard public health, after legislation was passed in 1991.

He urged residents not to hire illegal pest control operators because they do not meet the mandatory criteria and their work might endanger people's health.

"The improper application of pesticides by untrained people can cause serious harm to the occupants of a house and in some cases it has proved fatal," he said.

"People should be careful and avoid getting a cheap, low-quality service from unprofessional and unlicenced people."

To be eligible for the job, a pest control operator must pass a practical test before getting a photo ID card, issued by Dubai Municipality's Pest Control Section. This carries the operator's name, the company name, telephone number and validity period.

Obeid encouraged customers to ask politely but firmly for operators to display their identity cards.