Govt embarks on pest control awareness drive
Agriculture officials have embarked on a drive to raise awareness about the risks involved when dealing with unregistered pest control operators.
The department says it wants to, among other things, make people aware of the different grades of pesticides and herbicides, how they can be applied and their potential health effects.
The department's Mluleki Dlamini says the public information drive comes after a Musgrave couple died allegedly after they inhaled highly toxic pesticide fumes when a neighbouring flat was being fumigated.
Dlamini explains that unregistered pest control operators can, for instance, use the wrong chemicals or incorrect dosage.
READ: Musgrave tragedy: Relative recalls fateful night of couple's death
He's urged people to ask to see an operator's certificate.
You can check the company's details through the department.
"The clients and just verify with us for now because that information is not provided to the public and then our office and be able to do that.
"One of the rights of the clients is to be provided with a copy of the certificate before the application and also, it must be provided with precautions which will be taken before the application and after the application."
