Summer Pest Control and COVID-19 Prevention: Tackling Both at Once

Seoul Jung-gu Declares June 7 and July 15 as 'Pest Intensive Disinfection Days'; Simultaneous Disinfection in 15 Neighborhoods... Autonomous Disinfection Teams Conduct COVID-19 Prevention, Health Center Operates Dedicated Disinfection Unit

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jung-gu, Seoul (Mayor Seoyangho) is conducting intensive pest control activities to create a pleasant urban environment and prevent infectious diseases before the full onset of summer.

As thorough hygiene management is required more than ever due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), intensive pest control will be carried out focusing on habitats such as residential area sewers, puddles, and places where residents complain of mosquitoes and flies.

The intensive pest control period is from the 15th of this month to the 15th of next month, and especially June 17 and July 15 are designated as 'Pest Control Intensive Days,' during which simultaneous pest control will be conducted in all 15 neighborhoods of Jung-gu.

On these days, employees, residents who know the pest-prone areas of each neighborhood best, and the Saemaul Leaders' Association will join forces to carry out pest control throughout all 15 neighborhoods.

During the intensive pest control period, the autonomous pest control team composed of residents will also conduct COVID-19 prevention measures as needed. The autonomous team will focus on localized pest control in vulnerable areas such as residential neighborhoods and alleys where harmful bacteria and viruses may proliferate. Additionally, they will promote methods for residents to easily remove mosquito larvae habitats in daily life.

Furthermore, the district plans to maintain rainwater drainage ditches, which become sources of odor and pests due to cigarette butts and garbage disposal, by the end of this month. Areas where stagnant water such as puddles may form will also undergo road leveling work in coordination with the responsible departments.

The public health center has established a dedicated pest control team to manage areas with frequent complaints and will continuously conduct pest control. They will exchange information on pest occurrences with the autonomous pest control team, identify hygiene-vulnerable areas, educate residents on efficient pest control methods for routine COVID-19 prevention, and provide necessary supplies and technical support.

Seoyangho, Mayor of Jung-gu, said, "With the prolonged COVID-19 situation and rising temperatures compared to previous years, residents' discomfort due to pests is a concern. Therefore, we have designated a one-month intensive pest control period and will conduct special pest control along with COVID-19 prevention during the summer. We ask residents to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings to have a healthy summer."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.