Abu Dhabi gets over 16,000 ant control service requests in 6 months

Abu Dhabi - Most of the requests were made from Al Ain.

Abu Dhabi residents have made more than 16,000 service requests for ant control in the first half of the year, the emirate's waste management centre Tadweer revealed on Wednesday. 
Tadweer has responded to a total of 16,870 ant control requests since January, slightly higher than the 15,858 requests handled during the same period last year. Most of them were made from Al Ain (10,769), followed by Abu Dhabi city with 5,242 requests and Al Dhafra, 859. 
To avoid such pests at home, residents have been advised to regularly clear surfaces and floors of food crumbs and any other elements that may attract ants and other insects.  
"Simple and effective practices include removing any sweetened substances or exposed sugars in the kitchen; ensuring that there are no holes in kitchen tables and rooms; tightly closing food bags; regular maintenance and cleaning of windows and doors; maintaining the water network, and trimming trees that are near walls," Tadweer said as it continued educating residents about safe, effective methods to get rid of ants. 
The public is also reminded to rely only on entities and companies that are authorised to provide pest control services. Residents may dial 800555 to get in touch with Tadweer and request the service.
Mohammed Mahmoud Al Marzouqi, pest control projects director at Tadweer, said: "Dealing with ant control requests forms part of our effort to increase and maintain both public cleanliness and environmental safety for the benefit of the community. We follow best international practice in our use of licensed pesticides, which are approved locally and internationally, and in our protocols for the proper control and disposal of these ants. Consequently, we are maintaining a clean environment and preventing any potential damage that they may cause to homes and communities."
Tadweer is the key government entity responsible for all activities related to waste management services in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, including the collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste in a safe, efficient and economical manner. 
The centre is also tasked with carrying out pest control, educating communities about the significance of protecting the environment, and encouraging them to adopt sound environmental habits to drive sustainable development.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Abu Dhabi