Number of calls to NEA about pest control rises in 2009

Channel NewsAsia 5 Jan 10;

SINGAPORE: The National Environment Agency (NEA) said Tuesday the number of calls regarding pest control went up to some 550 cases last year, compared to 380 in 2008.

However, town councils said existing measures against pests such as rats are adequate. In fact, each town council has between S$200,000 and a million dollars set aside for pest control every year.

The varying amount is due to the different sizes of the town councils.

"Pest control is an ongoing programme in the town councils," said Teo Ho Pin, coordinating chairman of PAP Town Councils.

"So if there's no feedback from the residents, the town councils will normally do the routine daily inspection of the housing estates for all types of pests - cockroaches, lizards, bees, rats, mosquitoes."

- CNA/yb