The infestation of rats, mice and other pests in many parts of the city, and the elimination thereof, will be discussed at a vector control conference of the Environmental Health Directorate officials on 27 February.
They will strategise ways to eliminate rodents, which besides a health hazard are known to damage property, eat and spoil food reserves and also, attack humans especially babies and the bedridden.
Numerous strategies are being tried including the use of owls, rat cages, fumigation and recently electric trap cages, but they seem to be of limited success. Last year, the MMC for Health and Social Development Nonceba Molwele announced a R2.5 million budget to tackle the problem in the City with Alex being a specific focus due to the magnitude of the problem.
At the same time, the department’s director Peter Manganye said the aim was to control the problem before it got out of hand, but was doubtful they could get rid of the rodents. This partly because residents engaged in uncontrolled disposal of garbage and did not practice appropriate health and hygiene methods in their homes and community.
Manganye said the conference will be attended by vector control staff from all regions to gain tips and information from other pest control experts including the control of flies and plague surveillance and to enable them to deal with different situations.
The conference will be held at 9am at the Roodepoort Civic Centre, Florida Park.
Details: Nkosinathi Nkabinde; City of Joburg, 011 407 6477 or e-mail nkosinathin@joburg.org.za
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