The rainy season is upon us again, bringing with it challenges of more pest control issues and contributing to off scheduled services such as garbage collection. Together with the warm summer temperatures, pests such as flies, mosquitoes and rats are likely to produce in larger numbers. However property owners and occupants of premises can do their part by ensuring that their garbage is properly containerized and that bins are cleaned and disinfected after being emptied.

 

 

Example of stored garbage                                                                   

Dengue can be carried by the Aedes aegypti mosquito

This is also crab season and vendors must practice good sanitation by making available garbage receptacles during operation and that all of the waste generated is taken away and disposed of properly. This will help to minimize fly nuisances by reducing odour and food sources.

 

                  

  Crabs cause odours that attract flies   
           

              

 

  Put crab waste in garbage bins to reduce flies                      

The more food, shelter and harbourage we provide for rats, the more success they would have in surviving in large numbers. Kitchen waste, discarded appliances and furniture, derelict vehicles and other debris provide the environment for this to occur. Individuals, private and public entities and communities at large, are ask to shoulder their responsibilities by ensuring that their premises and places of occupancy and their communities are clean and that good garbage storage and disposal practices are carried out. Good sanitation habits will assist in controlling the rat population and other pests but unkept surroundings and indiscriminate dumping would do the opposite.

                                                 

Food shelter & harbourage for rats and other pests  

The common rat                           

The recent rains have also help to produce large batches of mosquitoes since areas like ponds, depression and excavations collect water and hatch the mosquito eggs. Additionally home owners are reminded to pay special attention to anything that can hold water, especially drums, buckets, tubs and tyres, as they can breed mosquitoes that can carry Dengue Fever as well. They should be disposed of at the sanitary landfill off Harold Road or items that are in use should be properly stored or managed so that they cannot collect water and breed mosquitoes.

The Department of Environmental Health Services will increase its efforts in reducing the population of these pests. It is anticipated that garbage pickup schedules on those collection routes that are off schedule, will be regularized shortly.

Efforts will be increased in the control of rodents by premise inspections and strategic placement of rat bait in bait protectors; so we are asking the public’s cooperation in this regard.

     

  Rat bait stations placement

  

       Rat poison placement                                        

The mosquito control section of The Department of Environmental Health Services will strengthen its mosquito treatment intervention programme to address the mosquito issues. Increased Larviciding and adult control treatment regimes will be enhanced. Breeding sites will be investigated and where appropriate larvicides and biological control measures will be administered. Ground fogging exercises will be continued and intensified thorough New Providence and in those islands that are affected.

Once again the department wishes to thank the public for its continued cooperation and support and their assistance in doing their part in controlling pests.