Demand for fogging & larvae control services surges

With the rise in dengue cases being reported daily, city firms that offer fogging and larvae control services have witnessed an increase in the number of customers.

A Shahane, partner, S & R Pest Control Services, said, "We have received maximum orders for anti-larvae and fogging from Baner. So much so that we have even hiked our supplies because more concentrated chemicals were required for breeding grounds."

S&R Pest Control Services on Sinhagad Road, which boasts of 200 employees, has signed a two-year contract with the Nashik Municipal Corporation after the recent dengue outbreak. Normally, the firm gets seven to eight customers in a month, but in November, they saw over 25 customers, mostly from residential colonies and construction sites.

However, Shahane feels the demand will decrease with the onset of winter, which does not allow breeding of mosquitoes. "During March and April, the demand will increase again," he said.

Ramesh Khurud, proprietor of Excel Pest Control, Khadki says that despite measures taken up by civic authorities, the firm has recorded a sharp 50 per cent hike in demand. To handle the cases, the firm hired an additional 20 operators.

The fogging treatment which is used to kill mosquitoes should be conducted every week and the anti-larvae treatment done to kill the breeding grounds should be carried out every six days because the life cycle of a mosquito starts on the seventh day.

The rates depend on the area, frequency and manpower utilised. The treatment usually takes up an entire day. For example, for an area of 10,000 sq ft, the charges will range between Rs 3,000 and Rs 3,500.

Reporting a similar trend is Atrav Pest Control Services located at Rasta Peth. "October was hectic as 25-30 customers were required for these services, while November saw only 10-15 customers. There has been a 30 per cent increase in demand for these services," says Prakash Sonawane, manager of Atrav Pest Control.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Freeze your wedding memories in 3D video

Hate speech: Pune court asks police to book Owaisi

CCTV cameras bought for CYG ‘vanish’

Kalmadi in troubled waters, rivals ready to make a 'splash'